Alaca Huyuk is an ancient Anatolian site northeast of the old Hittite capital of Hattusa at Bogazkoy in north-central Turkey, in the bend of the Halys River (Kizil River).
The site lay unclaimed for over 4000 years until 1907 when it was excavated by Makridi Bey, and resumed in 1935 by the Turkish Historical Society. Below the Hittite remains, lay 13 tombs dating from 2500 BC. Though the tombs indicated a lot about the civilizations refinement, the inhabitants of the city’s ethnic identity was unknown. However, it is believed by many, that the people on the land prior to the Hittites were most likely of non-Indo-European origin. So how advanced was their society?
It has been found, surprisingly, that the society beneath the site was quite advanced. Though the pottery was relatively primitive in style, they had the equivalent of Copper Age metallurgy technology. With such advanced technology for its time there were undoubtedly some very impressive works found within the site. Most notable were the various possessions of the ruling family. Among the personal possessions were weapons, ornaments, toilet articles, domestic vessels, and utensils (gold, silver, and bronze). Within the collection were intricate daggers with a crescent shaped handle, and a blade of iron, which was very valuable at the time. Among the ornaments were fine gold-filigree diadems. Equally impressive were the various funeral objects such as animal figures, in bronze and silver, and openwork grills adorned with animals, as well.
The various artifacts found within the site, along with its location all work together to create its importance. Along with Alaca Huyuk, artifacts found at Troy, and elsewhere have allowed scholars to conclude that the processes known to the Anatolian metal smiths of the Early Bronze Age included casting by cire perdue, hammering or repousse work, sweating or soldering, granulation, filigree, and cloisonné inlay. It was also discovered that Carnelian, jasper, nephrite, obsidian, and meerschaun were used for ornament.
Resources
“Alaca Huyuk.” Encyclopedia Britannica. http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9005329 5/1/01
“(Untitled).” Encyclopedia Britannica. http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9108727 5/1/01
“Alaca Huyuk-Sphinx gate of Alaca Huyuk in Anatolia-history.” Maxpages. http://www.maxpages.com/alacahoyuk. 5/3/01
“Alaca Huyuk.” http://www.ancientroute.com/cities/alacahuy.htm 5/1/01
Written by: Katie Fish