Karatepe-Aslantaş
Karatepe · Azatiwataya · Aslantaş
Neo-Hittite / Iron Age (c.720–680 BCE)·Neo-Hittite (Adanawa Quwe) / Phoenician·🇹🇷 Osmaniye Province, Turkey
About
About Karatepe-Aslantaş
Neo-Hittite fortified retreat of Azatiwada (late 8th c BCE) on Ceyhan River, Karatepe-Aslantaş preserves two gated circuits with 30+ basalt orthostats showing Late Hittite–Phoenician bilingual inscriptions that provided Rosetta Stone for Luwian hieroglyphs decipherment (Bossert 1947). Lions, sphinxes, hunting and banquet reliefs; natural forest setting within Karatepe-Aslantaş National Park. Wooden palatial superstructure burned.
Why it mattersBilingual key to Luwian Hieroglyphs; greatest Neo-Hittite sculptural ensemble
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Historical identity of Azatiwada as founder or usurper
- 02Why bilingual Phoenician-Hieroglyphic Luwian text was needed
Theories
- 01Bilingual reflects Adana kingdom's dual Luwian-Semitic administration (Hawkins)
- 02Fort abandoned after Assyrian annexation 677 BCE
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.720 BCE by Azatiwada, vassal of Awariku of Adana
- Period
- Neo-Hittite / Iron Age (c.720–680 BCE)
- Culture
- Neo-Hittite (Adanawa Quwe) / Phoenician
- Purpose
- Frontier fortress and summer palace displaying bilingual legitimacy
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.720 BCE by Azatiwada, vassal of Awariku of Adana
Initial construction
c. 1391 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
37.2958° N · 36.2536° E · 195 m · 3 mapped features
North Gate
gateGate with Phoenician-Luwian bilingual orthostats, lion guardians and sphinxes
37.2965° N · 36.2530° ESouth Gate (Lower)
gateSecond gated bastion with banquet and hunting orthostats
37.2953° N · 36.2542° EPalace Courtyard
palaceBurned timber palace on central eminence with column bases
37.2959° N · 36.2536° E
Gallery