11.04.2025
5 Dakika
Anatolia, where many different civilizations settled and thrived, is the place where some of the most important chapters of human history were written — and, in many ways, where the foundations of the modern world were laid. From the first steps towards agriculture and settled life to the earliest religious structures, this region is also the homeland of powerful origin stories that still feel alive today. The Hittites are one of the civilizations that passed through these lands and left behind remarkable traces of life from thousands of years ago. In this blog, we’ll take a look at 4 remarkable Hittite artifacts that still speak volumes about a civilization long gone — all on display in Central Anatolian museums.
The rhyton; which represents the twin oxen Sherri and Khurri— sacred animals of Teshup, the Hittite god of storms — is on display at the Sivas Archaeology Museum. The Rhyta, were used as drinking vessels and for pouring libation (a votive liquid), are found in shapes resembling animal figures and human heads. The one in the Sivas Archaeology Museum is preserved well enough for the twin oxen to stand upright, and offers a valuable glimpse into the religious practices of the Hittites.
The İnandık Vase, found during excavations at the İnandık Mound near the city of Çankırı, is significant in understanding Hittite art and history. The vase, dating back to around 1600 BC, belongs to the Old Hittite Kingdom and attracts attention with its size and the reliefs on it. The mouth of the vase is designed in a way that allows the liquid to be filled by passing through the heads of 4 oxen. This design suggests that the vase, now on display at the Anatolian Civilizations Museum, was used in Hittite religious rituals.
One of the most striking pieces found in the remains of Hittite Capital Hattusa, is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list for Çorum, is the Great King Depicted Orthostat. What makes it fascinating are the depictions of deities on it and the engraving “The Great King Tuhaliya” written in ancient Hittite script. The other mentionable details of the figures carved on the rectangular prism-shaped rock make it a must-see at the Çorum Museum.
This limestone statue is believed to depict King Mutallu, a local king appointed by the Assyrian Empire to rule Arslantepe. A fascinating example of late Hittite art was found in the inner courtyard of the Lion Gate in the Arslantepe Archaeological Site in Malatya. You can see this impressive figure with his robe on his shoulders, his cape and his goblet in the Anatolian Civilizations Museum in Ankara.
To get a closer look at the Hittites — one of the key players in the world’s first known written treaty, the Treaty of Kadesh, and a powerful civilization that ruled not just Anatolia but stretched across the Eastern Mediterranean at their peak — you should plan a trip to Central Anatolia.
The Hittite civilization isn’t just known for its mythology, culture, and impressive artifacts that have lasted through the ages — it also holds a sense of mystery that draws you in. With unanswered questions and missing pieces in their story, exploring the world they left behind becomes all the more captivating. You can experience the thrill of uncovering this ancient world with Turkish Museums.
To learn more about the Hittites and other civilizations that once thrived across Anatolia, and to plan a truly memorable journey — be sure to follow the Turkish Museums blog. Click here to reach the homepage of our blog section!
