Cuneiform tablets discovered at Kültepe

Thousands of tablets detailing social life in Anatolia 4,000 years ago have been discovered at an archaeological dig in Turkey’s central province of Kayseri, covering such topics as women’s rights, adoption of children, arranged marriage and even conflict between a bride and her mother-in-law.

Excavations at Kültepe [Credit: DHA]

Archaeological excavations that began in June at Kültepe (Ash Hill), a hill located in Turkey’s central Anatolian province of Kayseri, have uncovered around 23,500 priceless tablets detailing social life in the region 4,000 years ago.

Ankara University’s Prof. Fikri Kulakoğlu, head of the Kültepe dig, explained how their discoveries meant that the Kaneš (pronounced ‘kah nesh’) civilization at the site was one of the first places where locals utilized written correspondence and bureaucratic documentation, their finds dating as far back as the 20th century B.C.E., far predating the usage of writing in other regions of the world.

General view of Kültepe [Credit: DHA]

The excavations occupy two areas, the large merchant quarter (also known as a Kârum) atop Kültepe Hill, and a lower town where an Assyrian settlement was discovered. “Kültepe might be the location where Anatolia first became enlightened,” said Kulakoğlu. “The people of Anatolia first learn to read and write here.”

As a trade hub, many of the visiting traders recorded their economic activities. Kulakoğlu points out how the majority of the 23,500 tablets they’ve uncovered contain their economic and trade dealings.

Cuneiform tablets from Kültepe [Credit: DHA]

However, aside from detailing trade, many of the uncovered tablets also discuss matters pertaining to social life at the time. “We’re able to catch of glimpse of all aspects of civil and social life in not just Anatolia, but in the wider world 4,000 years ago on everything from women’s rights to the adoption of children to the arrangement of marriage for infants.”

Kulakoğlu added that among the tablets they found there was a romantic love letter from a wife to a husband as well as another letter where a wife was complaining of her mother-in-law. “These are the things you won’t find normally in any official record. Even if you searched imperial records you wouldn’t find them, there they just kept official records.”

The professor added that all of these tablets will be put on display at the archaeological museum currently planned for Kayseri, which will be one of the most important museums in the historical region known as Cappadocia.

Source: BGN News [July 17, 2015]