History and archaeology / Mound (höyük)
Alacahöyük Archaeological Site and Museum
Alaca, Çorum
A mound where four layers of civilization have been uncovered, famous for its Sphinx Gate and Early Bronze Age royal tombs; an excavation museum stands at its entrance.
Its story
Alacahöyük is in the village of Alacahöyük, about 15 kilometers northwest of the Alaca district. Fifteen building levels belonging to four cultural phases, stretching from the Late Chalcolithic to the Hittite period and later, have been identified on the mound. The gold, silver and bronze works, sun discs and stag figurines from the Early Bronze Age dynastic tombs, surrounded by stone and covered with wooden beams, are among the best-known finds of Anatolian archaeology; the originals are in Ankara. The monumental Sphinx Gate of the city, an important cult center in the Hittite period, is decorated with orthostats with reliefs. The first excavations were carried out by Makridi in 1907; in 1935 systematic excavations began with Atatürk's support under the direction of Hamit Zübeyr Koşay and Remzi Oğuz Arık. The museum at the entrance of the site displays the excavation finds.
Key facts
- Hours
- Check muze.gov.tr for current hours and fees
- Period
- Late Chalcolithic–Hittite and later
- Highlights
- Sphinx Gate, Early Bronze Age royal tombs
- Protection
- Boğazköy-Alacahöyük Historical National Park
Trip purpose
- Photography
- Day trip
- Traveling with kids
Location
40.23454, 34.69505
Reviews
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alacah%C3%B6y%C3%BCk | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaca_H%C3%B6y%C3%BCk | https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Alacahöyük_Museum | https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q558861