Archaeologists in the ancient Hittite capital of Hattusha, located in north-central Turkey, have uncovered a fragment of what is considered the world's oldest peace treaty. The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced the discovery of a 3,400-year-old piece of the Treaty of Kadesh, signed in 1269 B.C. between Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II and Hittite King Hattusili III. The fragment was found during recent excavations in Hattusha, a major center of the Hittite Empire, which ruled over central Anatolia during the Bronze Age (approximately 1650 to 1200 B.C.). The Treaty of Kadesh is significant as it marks the end of a prolonged conflict between Egypt and the Hittite Empire. It is regarded as the earliest known peace treaty in history. Despite its name, the treaty does not directly reference the earlier Battle of Kadesh, which had taken place several years before. It is also known as the Egyptian-Hittite Peace Treaty, the Eternal Treaty, or the Silver Treaty, reflecting its emphasis on lasting peace and mutual cooperation between the two powers. The treaty was recorded in two ancient cities, each using a different writing system. In the early 19th century, the treaty was first discovered inscribed in Egyptian hieroglyphs on the walls of a temple in Thebes (modern Luxor), dedicated to Ramesses II. Meanwhile, fragments of the Akkadian cuneiform version of the treaty were uncovered at Hattusha in the early 20th century. The newly found fragment adds to the existing Akkadian text and may help scholars reconstruct the full treaty. The treaty includes provisions for mutual support in times of war and specific protections for refugees. It states that any refugee fleeing from Egypt to Hattusha or vice versa should be returned to their home country, as fleeing was considered a crime. However, the treaty explicitly prohibits harsh treatment of refugees, forbidding the amputation of body parts or the destruction of their homes. The recently discovered fragment includes part of this text, and ongoing excavations may reveal more of the treaty’s details. Today, a copper replica of the Treaty of Kadesh is displayed in the United Nations Conference Building in New York City. The U.N. highlights the treaty’s relevance to modern ideals, noting its pledges of eternal friendship, lasting peace, territorial integrity, nonaggression, extradition, and mutual support—principles that closely align with the organization's mission. This ancient document continues to resonate as a symbol of diplomacy and cooperation across centuries.