Alacahoyuk: Why This Ancient City is a Must-Visit
Situated in Alaca town in the city of Corum, Alacahoyuk predominantly shows the Hittite influence during the Bronze Age. Know More!
Mysteries of ancient civilizations slumber beneath the sprawling expanse of Alacahöyük. This huge archaeological site, 310 by 275 meters in size, guards countless untold stories within its earthen depths. Centuries of time and much-needed dedication have shown only a smidgeon of its treasures, even though archaeologists have investigated the secrets of this place for over 110 years.
It opens up like pages of history, each layer telling stories of different ages. The remains of fourteen distinct civilizations are stacked chronologically from the Early Bronze Age through the mighty Hittite Empire to the Byzantine Era. The year 1935 marked a turning point when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk ordered the first national excavation of Turkey at this site.
Spectacular finds came out of the ground: the magnificent 13th century BCE Sphinx Gate, richly ornamented royal tombs full of gold and bronze treasures, and jewelry pieces. These treasures now impress visitors to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara, giving a glimpse into the glory of ancient Anatolia.
The Story Behind Alacahöyük's Discovery
Scientific examination of Alacahöyük started with the accidental meeting by W.C. Hamilton in 1835. Its historical importance came to light with the academic eyes of George Perrot in 1861.
First National Excavation of Turkey
Ottoman scholar Theodor Makridi Bey initiated preliminary research at the site, spending two whole weeks surveying the site in 1907. However, it wasn't until 1935 that official excavations were undertaken with the leadership and sponsorship of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. This was a groundbreaking activity since this was Turkey's first national archaeological study.
Major Archaeological Finds
Each layer of soil yielded remarkable treasures to patient excavators. German archaeological teams unearthed magnificent royal tombs dating back to the third millennium BC, while simultaneously revealing a sprawling Hittite settlement from the second millennium BC.
Modern discoveries continued to surface between 2002 and 2005 when archaeologists recovered four precious hieroglyphic Luwian documents - a clay seal, two marked vessels, and fragments of an ancient stele.
Ongoing Excavation Projects
Fresh visions today, under the leadership of Professor Tayfun Yıldırım from Ankara University's Department of Protohistory and Near East Archaeology, who took over the direction in 2020. His team follows twin objectives: mapping detailed cultural sequences and testing settlement patterns through advanced geophysical research.
The site has limitless potential-a mere 13% is outcropped, with extensive areas still buried beneath the soil. Time-wrappings are peeled off bit by bit through judicious test drilling to surface the secrets of Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age settlements. Researchers search beyond the city limits as recognized for hints of the lower city that is notoriously difficult to find and signs of Assyrian merchants.
Key Architectural Highlights
The genius of ancient Anatolia shines in every one of the stones at Alacahöyük, where the mastery of Hittite craftsmen is inscribed in stone and brick.
The Famous Sphinx Gate
The grand entrance of the city is guarded by majestic sphinxes, their watchful gaze unaltered since the 13th century BCE. These colossal guardians, hewn from towering 13-foot monoliths, frame an impressive gateway spanning 10 meters. Stone reliefs known as orthostats embellish the tower foundations, their surfaces alive with sacred scenes. Royal devotion comes alive in these carvings, where a king and queen stand in perpetual prayer before a bull altar.
Royal Burial Chambers
Silent tales of fourteen royal tombs chiseled under the Hittite buildings echo across. The shaft graves descend 1.5 meters deep into the earth's arms. In each room, the tradition of burial was meticulous - wooden pillars closed the places where noble corpses lay, bodies aligned westwards with crossed legs. The space was limited only to the adults; the walls did not shelter any children or infants.
Old City Walls
Powerful defenses trace a circular path, 250 meters in diameter. Stone foundations support mud-brick battlements, while strategic gateways, both inner and outer, bristle with archer platforms. These fortifications stood sentinel against northern raiders - the fierce Kaska people who descended from mountain strongholds.
Time passed, and preservation decisions needed to be made. Original masterpieces sphinx sentinels and decorated finally came to rest in safety within the Anatolian Civilizations Museum in Ankara. Faithful replicas stand guard today at Alacahöyük, paying homage to ancient prowess and preserving irreplaceable treasures for unborn generations.
Çorum Alacahöyük Museum
The Alacahöyük Museum, set in Alacahöyük village in Alaca district within Çorum's boundaries, was first conceived as a museum in 1940. That museum was previously moved to another building inside this archaeological site in 1982 and has been renovated in its present building since 2011.
The collection of the museum consists basically of the archaeological finds in Alacahöyük excavations that started in 1935 and had been run by Remzi Oğuz Arık, Hamit Zübeyr Koşay, and Mahmut Akok. The finds are important pieces that belong to the Chalcolithic, Early Bronze Age, Hittite, and Phrygian ages.
The museum is a place to see the replicas of the Sphinx Gate with the reliefs taken out; they are on exhibit in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara.
Inside the Royal Tombs
Royal tombs of Alacahöyük whisper tales of ancient grandeur through their precious contents. Fourteen shaft graves, carved between 2850–and 2450 BCE, mirror the splendor found in the Royal Tombs of Ur.
Golden Artifacts
Masterful metalwork adorns these sacred chambers, speaking volumes about the artisans' skill. Noble dead rested eternally with:
- Gleaming gold fibulae and regal diadems
- Exquisite belt buckles bearing gold-leaf patterns
- Jeweled ornaments of remarkable beauty
- Weapons crowned with golden handles
Tomb H stretches eight meters by 3.4 meters, yielding treasures fit for nobility - a female occupant adorned with a golden diadem, precious metal ornaments, and five pairs of golden twin idols. Another noble lady rested in Tomb A, surrounded by four sun standards and an array of metal decorations and human-shaped figurines.
Religious Symbols
Sacred objects tell stories of ancient faith and ritual. Bronze standards rise from pedestals, shaped as mighty bulls and proud stags, marking holy significance. Sun disks accompany these emblems, suggesting an elaborate ceremonial that is lost to time.
Indeed, the chambers display vessels of gold and electrum, whose craftsmanship marries artistry with a divine purpose. These metal treasures transcended mere wealth to become powerful symbols of earthly authority and spiritual dominion.
Bull heads and limbs lie carefully laid on platforms, according to fastidious burial rites. These ritualistic placements, together with the feminine idols, attest to the high respect accorded to the mother goddess in ancient Anatolia. No such burial treasure exists throughout the Old Bronze Age sites from Aegean shores to Asian borders.
Planning Your Visit to Çorum Alacahöyük
The Çorum Alacahöyük Museum opens its doors to history lovers daily, greeting everyday visitors with ancient wonders from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Best Time to Visit
The spring months between April and June bathe the archaeological treasures with golden sunlight, while autumn, between September and November, is soft enough for sightseeing. Summer brings blistering heat upon these ancient stones, although shaded parts allow the determined visitor to catch their breath.
How to Get There
Sacred ways to Alacahöyük open up via several directions:
- From Istanbul: Trains coming out of Istanbul break into local cabs, moving through time into 8 hours and 20 minutes
- Roadways: On road, driving travelers take across 405 miles of Turkish roads, often successfully making their rituals in 7 hours and 14 minutes.
- Public Transportation: The public vehicle from Çorum to Alaca is available then local transportation carries to the remaining distance.
Its modern wings weave visitors through adjacent skies - there are Amasya Airport, Ankara Airport, and Kayseri Airport serving an aerial adventurer.
Nearby Accommodations
Shelter choices mirror ancient hospitality traditions. Simple lodgings grace Alacahöyük village, mere steps from museum gates. Modern comforts beckon from nearby Çorum, where accommodations range from modest inns to luxurious four-star sanctuaries.
Seasoned travelers often weave Alacahöyük into grander adventures, as Cappadocia's wonders lie just three hours distant.
The sacred stones of Alacahöyük, rising from Anatolian soil, stand guard over the Hittite legacy and ancient wisdom. These weathered ruins hold in-store historical treasures buried beneath them, promising to reveal themselves to patient explorers sometime in the future.
Mighty sphinxes guard eternally, their watch unbroken, while gold treasures from royal tombs whisper about their glorious past. Each careful stroke of archaeologists peels away time's veil and discloses the evidence of countless generations that had been building upon this hallowed ground. The story of civilization unfolds layer after layer through perfectly preserved artifacts and architectural wonders.
Today, modern-day wanderers find welcome refuge in this ancient landscape. The seasons are gentle during spring and autumn visits, while nearby Çorum offers sanctuary to weary travelers. The comforts of the modern world blend seamlessly with historical exploration, creating perfect conditions for discovery.
Alacahöyük is one of the most precious archaeological jewels befitting Turkey. Here, casual visitors and devoted scholars alike walk paths once trod by Hittite kings. With each passing season, fresh wonders emerge as dedicated teams unlock more secrets from the earth. This ancient capital calls its children home, again and again, each visit promising new chapters in humanity's enduring story.
FAQs
Q1. How old is Alacahöyük?
Alacahöyük unfolds like pages of history, with 14 civilizations leaving their mark, from the Early Bronze Age through the Hittite Empire to the Byzantine era.
Q2. What are the Alacahöyük bronze standards?
The Alaca Höyük bronze standards are ancient artifacts from Turkey, linked to the Hattians. Found in royal tombs, these intricate bronze objects depict animals like bulls and deer, likely symbolizing religious or cosmic themes. Their exact purpose is unclear, but they may have been used in rituals or as ceremonial scepters, highlighting elite status and spiritual beliefs.
Q3. What makes Alacahöyük unique among ancient archeological sites?
Alacahöyük is unique for its 14 distinct occupational layers, spanning from the Early Bronze Age to Byzantine times. It's Turkey's first national excavation site, with much still buried despite over 110 years of continuous excavation.
Q4. What are the main architectural highlights of Alacahöyük?
The main architectural highlights include the famous 13th-century BCE Sphinx Gate, royal burial chambers, and ancient city walls. The Sphinx Gate features impressive stone reliefs depicting religious ceremonies.
Q5. When is the best time to visit Alacahöyük?
The best times to visit Alacahöyük are during spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) when temperatures are mild and ideal for outdoor exploration.