Koç University uncovered 184 ancient cuneiform tablets in Turkey, revealing insights into Hittite king Tudhaliya II’s reign and the crises of his time.
Archaeological discovery in Turkey
Koç University researchers found 184 cuneiform tablets and fragments in Kayalıpınar, Sivas province, Turkey. The Turkish Ministry of Culture revealed the discovery in October 2026, noting the texts date back 3,400 years and relate to the Hittite king Tudhaliya II’s reign.Historical context of the Hittite crisis
During Tudhaliya II’s rule, the Hittite Empire faced multiple challenges. A serious fever epidemic spread across cities, prompting diviners to monitor the health of royal children through rituals. High-ranking officials also sought guidance on the status of their offspring, including an infant princess.Details of the infant princess’s fate
One tablet describes omens read while the princess was being breastfed. Another text notes she fell ill at a place called Ziulila, whose location remains unknown. A third tablet records her death and burial, though the cause of death is not specified in any of the writings.Military reports and omens
Other documents include letters from Hittite generals in Western Anatolia, warning that enemy forces were surrounding their territory. They requested reinforcements in soldiers, horses, and chariots, stating that without help, their army would be destroyed. Additional inscriptions document the journeys of ritual observers from Šamuḫa, who recorded bird movements as part of their divinatory practices.
