Alishar Höyük
Alişar Höyük · Alişar · Alishar Hüyük · Alishar
Chalcolithic to Iron Age to Medieval·Anatolian Halaf-Ubaid → EBA → Hittite → Phrygian·🇹🇷 Yozgat Province, Kanak Su valley, Turkey
About
About Alishar Höyük
Large stratified tell (Chalcolithic c.4000 BCE to Phrygian/Medieval, peak EBA–Iron) controlling Kanak Su pass between Kültepe and Hattusa. Oriental Institute Chicago excavations (1927–32 von der Osten & Schmidt) defined Anatolian sequence Alishar I–VII (Hittite Empire Level II, Phrygian reoccupation). Famous for EBA painted Alişar III ware, Hittite Old Kingdom tablets, and Phrygian fibulae. Key intermediary on Assyrian Colony–Hittite road.
Why it mattersDefined Central Anatolian EBA painted ware sequence; Hittite-Phrygian transition; Colony Age pass control.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Was Alishar Ankuwa of Hittite texts?
- 02Alişar III ware origin — Cappadocian vs local
Theories
- 01Kanak Su corridor chain Kültepe–Alishar–Hattusa caravan league
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.4000 BCE Chalcolithic; fortified EBA c.2800 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic to Iron Age to Medieval
- Culture
- Anatolian Halaf-Ubaid → EBA → Hittite → Phrygian
- Builders
- Hattian→Hittite kārum-connected lords
- Purpose
- Pass fort and caravan station between Kanesh and Hattusa
- Abandoned
- c.700 BCE Phrygian then sparse Classical
- Rediscovered
- 1927 Oriental Institute Schmidt survey; 1927–32 von der Osten excavation
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
1927
Oriental Institute 5-season excavation
c.1750 BCE
Hittite Old Kingdom tablets
On the ground
Structures & features
39.6060° N · 35.2630° E · 1000 m · 3 mapped features
Citadel mound (Hittite level)
citadel30 m high citadel with Hittite casemate
39.6061° N · 35.2631° ELower town Alişar III houses
settlementEBA painted ware houses
39.6059° N · 35.2629° EPhrygian gate
gateIron Age Phrygian reoccupation wall
39.6060° N · 35.2630° E
Gallery