In a story highlighting the importance of cultural heritage preservation, a rare Hittite inscription dating back 3,300 years was discovered being used as a door jamb in a village house in central Turkey. This remarkable find underscores the ongoing threats cultural artifacts face due to lack of awareness.
The discovery unfolded in Konya province, where a Luwian hieroglyphic inscription, linked to the reign of Hittite King Tudhaliya IV (13th century BC), was identified on the doorway of a house in Karaören village, within the Emirgazi district. Alarmingly, it emerged that part of the inscription had already been smuggled abroad.
The story began in 2011 when the inscription was documented in a book titled “Poets and Poems with Karaören.” However, by 2015, the inscription, which had been used as a step on the house door, went missing. The Konya Ereğli Museum Directorate alerted the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, prompting a search through Interpol that yielded no results.
Dr. Çiğdem Maner, a lecturer at Koç University, spearheaded a renewed effort in 2020, finally locating the owner of the old house in Karaören. The owner, Fahri Kaymak, revealed that he and his father had found the stone fragment decades ago while building their house. Unaware of its historical significance, they broke it in half and used one piece as a door jamb.
A crucial breakthrough came when Dr. Maner noticed hieroglyphs hidden beneath plaster on the back of the inscription. This section, unseen due to alterations made to the front, offered valuable information.
With the support of the Konya Directorate of Survey and Monuments, the inscribed stone was carefully removed from the doorway using a crane and transferred to the Konya Ereğli Museum for safekeeping in December 2020. This rectangular stone, measuring 82x44x23.5 centimeters, holds potential to shed light on Hittite military expeditions and the “deer cult” practiced in the region during that period.
Dr. Maner emphasized the inscription’s significance, stating, “This Hittite Luwian hieroglyphic stone block is an extraordinary find. It likely dates back to the 13th century BC, the Hittite Imperial Age under King Tudhaliya IV. We believe it contains crucial information about the historical geography of the Hatti region and the deer cult associated with Mount Sarpa. Inscriptions like these are invaluable in unraveling the mysteries of the Hittite era.”
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of cultural artifacts. Increased awareness and education are crucial to ensure such treasures are protected and studied for the benefit of future generations.