Researchers in Turkey have made a significant archaeological discovery with the unearthing of a 3,300-year-old tablet containing a chilling death warning. This artefact was found at the Büklükale ruins, located approximately 60 miles from Ankara, near the Kızılırmak River. The warning, translated from an ancient Middle Eastern logosyllabic writing system, reads: “whoever breaks this will die,” suggesting severe consequences for those who violate the terms associated with the artefact.
The tablet is believed to be a message from the Hittite Empire, likely intended for individuals within a 100 km radius of Ankara. According to the journal Anatolian Archaeology, this grim inscription reflects the legal practices of the Hittites, who typically imposed fines for breaking agreements, making this warning particularly notable.
Significance of the Tablet and Its Context
The discovery was made by a team of archaeologists led by Kimiyoshi Matsumura, a faculty member at Kırşehir Ahi Evran University and head of the excavation. During the 2023 digs, Matsumura and his team unearthed a fragmented terracotta seal inscribed with the same ominous message. “On the seal, the Great King Tabarna (Sovereign King) or Tavananna (Sovereign Queen) writes, ‘Whoever breaks this will die,’” Matsumura explained.
These seals were often used to validate contracts, indicating that the Hittite royalty maintained a system of strict legal repercussions. The artefact suggests that Büklükale was an important city with strong ties to the royal family from Hattusa, the Hittite capital. Matsumura highlighted the significance of the city, noting that it was likely engaged in intensive relations with the Hittite royal family.
Broader Implications of the Findings
In addition to the warning tablet, Matsumura’s team also discovered a tablet referring to civil unrest during the same period. The language on this new tablet matched that of the seal, further supporting the idea of Büklükale as a site of significant historical relevance.
Recent findings of Hurrian tablets in the area suggest that religious ceremonies may have been conducted at this site, possibly involving the Hittite royal family. Matsumura stated, “The discovery of Hurrian tablets shows that religious ceremonies were held here. It is known that these ceremonies were performed by the Hittite royal family, king, or queen. In that respect, it is also thought that the Hittite king came here or resided here.”
The cumulative evidence indicates that Büklükale may have served as a royal residence during the Bronze Age empire. Matsumura concluded, “All these finds show that Büklükale is an important city in the Hittite Empire,” underscoring the site’s potential to reshape understanding of Hittite governance and society.
This archaeological breakthrough not only sheds light on the legal practices of ancient civilizations but also enriches the narrative of human history in the region, revealing the complexities of power, law, and culture in the Hittite Empire.
