Alacahöyük Sphinx Gate South Tower
Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇹🇷 Çorum, Alaca, Turkey
About
About Alacahöyük Sphinx Gate South Tower
Alacahöyük Sphinx Gate South Tower in Çorum, Alaca, Turkey is a Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE) ancient city attributed to Bronze Age. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal walled area 12 ha and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 40.2340N 34.6960E controls access to Çorum resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient city for Çorum, Alaca, illustrating Bronze Age construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 2800 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Regional urban centre controlling trade and administration
- Rediscovered
- 1967 survey
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 2800 BCE
Initial construction of Alacahöyük Sphinx Gate South Tower main structure
c. 1907
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1967–2012
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Alacahöyük Sphinx Gate South Tower) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
40.2340° N · 34.6960° E · 129 m · 3 mapped features
Alacahöyük Sphinx Gate South Tower — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient city — Walled area 12 ha with diagnostic masonry/panel
40.2348° N · 34.6969° EAlacahöyük Sphinx Gate South Tower — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
40.2330° N · 34.6953° EAlacahöyük Sphinx Gate South Tower — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
40.2355° N · 34.6972° E