Yazılıkaya Hittite Sanctuary
Yazilikaya · Rock Sanctuary of Hattusa
Late Bronze Age, Hittite Empire (~1300–1180 BCE; refurbished under Tudhaliya IV)·Hittite (Hatti–Hurrian)·🇹🇷 Çorum Province, Central Anatolia, Turkey
About
About Yazılıkaya Hittite Sanctuary
Two natural limestone chambers behind Hattusa where 90 reliefs carved into living rock depict the Hurrian–Hittite pantheon procession: Chamber A shows 12 underworld gods, sword-god Nergal and the divine couple Teshub–Hepat, while Chamber B guards four deities and Tudhaliya IV embraced by Sharruma. Reliefs served as ritual calendar during the purulli New Year festival. It is the largest known Hittite relief cycle.
Why it mattersTwo natural limestone chambers behind Hattusa where 90 reliefs carved into living rock depict the Hurrian–Hittite pantheon procession: Chamber A shows 12 underworld gods, sword-god Nergal and the divi
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Identity of Chamber B's dagger god with four lion heads
- 02Construction method – bronze tools on hard limestone requiring 10,000+ hours
Theories
- 01State sanctuary reifying Hittite–Hurrian syncretism under Hattusili III–Tudhaliya IV
- 02Natural rock fissure as chthonic portal to underworld
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.1260–1230 BCE, final reliefs under Tudhaliya IV 1237–1209 BCE
- Period
- Late Bronze Age, Hittite Empire (~1300–1180 BCE; refurbished under Tudhaliya IV)
- Culture
- Hittite (Hatti–Hurrian)
- Purpose
- Open-air rock sanctuary for New Year festival and Hurrian–Hittite pantheon
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.1260–1230 BCE, final reliefs under Tudhaliya IV 1237–1209 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1088 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
40.0261° N · 34.6308° E · 1000 m · 2 mapped features
Chamber A Main Procession
relief panel63 deities in twin male–female procession converging on divine couple
40.0262° N · 34.6309° EChamber B Sword God
relief panel12-m niche with Nergal sword god and Tudhaliya IV relief
40.0260° N · 34.6306° E