Alacahoyuk is located northeast of Khattusha-Bogazkoy in north central Turkey in the Corum province. It is one of the oldest sites of residence in Anatolia and an important Hittite settlement. Alacahoyuk has been known to the world of archaeology since the middle of the XIX th century. The reason why this place has become so well known throughout the world over the last 150 years is that there are two sphinxes dating back to the 2nd millenium B.C. and a group of Hittite reliefs standing in the open air which are unique for their genre. These sphinxes and the reliefs, unseen in any other Hittite city, stand in front of a building identified as a temple-place in the inner city (citadel). On the reliefs, together with the figures of a ceremony led by a Hittite King and a Queen, the names of whom could not be identified, are figures of people carved offering gifts to a goddess sitting on her throne. Alacahoyuk has been first introduced to the archaeology world in 1835 by W.C. Hamilton. Afterwards Alacahoyuk has been frequently visited by many scholars who came to Asia Minor. In 1861 G. Perrot has come to hoyuk and unearthed one of the orhastats and the plan of the tower to the right and left of the gates. After this, Perrot was the first to claim that the freezes date back to the Hittite period. After Perrot, W. Ramsey, Wilson, E. Chantre, H. Winckler and Th. Macridy are among the many who made research on the site. First systematic archaeological research and excavation in Alacahoyuk started in 1935 by H.Z. Koşay and R.O. Arik on behalf of the Turkish Historical Association with the initiatives of Atatürk. From 1997 till this day, the excavations are supervised by Prof. Dr. Aykut Cinaroglu from department of Archaeology, Ankara University. Alacahoyuk has four cultural periods; I- Stratum IV (3500-3000 BC.-building level 14-9); corresponds to Early Bronze I (Chalcolithic according to the excavators classification). II- Stratum III(3000-2000 BC.- Levels 8-5); to Early Bronze II and III. In the Early Bronze Age, Alacahoyuk was clearly the centre of an influential, powerful and wealthy princedon. The famous 'royal tombs' (thirteen burials), which are broadly contemporary with the 'treasures' of Troy II give us some idea of the opulence of the town. Some cult items like abstract symbols, disks decorated with swastikas and statuettes are found in these tombs. Figurines of animals like the stag and the bull and a variety of objects of gold, silver, electrum, bronze and iron, throw light not only on the art of the people who lived in central Anatolia, in this period but on their social life and religious beliefs. III- Stratum II(2000-1200 BC. with four building phases 2, 3a, 3b and 4); yielded remains of a Hittite settlement. Phase 4 belongs to the Early Hittite period; the others are attributed to the New Empire. The town walls with their carved orthastats have inner and outer gateways with ramps for archers. The outer monumental gateway, erected by the Hittites after they reoccupied Alaca was set between two towers, guarded by two great sphinxes. Inside the Sphinx Gate was a large Hittite building complex that still requires excavation. IV- Stratum I (1200-600 BC.); yielded remains of a Phrygian settlement. Alaca Höyük was a small site in Phrygian Age.

1935 While touring Anatolia, William J. Hamilton accidentally discovers the Sphinx Gate and brings it to the attention of the world. 1859 Dr. H. Barth conducts an initial study of the Sphinx Gate. 1861 The Sphinx Gate is further explored by A.D. Mordmann. 1869 H.G. van Lennep is intrigued by the origins of the sphinx symbol and conducts a comparative study between the reliefs of Alacahoyuk and Egypt. He also produces a preliminary sketch of the Sphinx Gate. 1881 W. Ramsey and Wilson uncover more wall reliefs on both sides of the Gate. 1893 Ernest Chantre concentrates on the Gate and second entrance behind it, sketching the Gate's facade and the lions situated to the south. 1894 Villagers oppose Ernest Chantre's attempts to move a section of the wall reliefs. 1097 At the request of Halil Ethem, the director of the Istanbul Museum at the time, the Hugo Winkler - Theodor Makridi team, conduct excavations at Alacahoyuk revealing another section of the wall reliefs. 1926-1927 H.H. von der Osten, works systematically within the framework of the research programme laid out by the Chicago Institute of Oriental Studies which publish his findings in a report. 1935 Under the directives of Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Alacahoyuk becomes one of the first archaeological excavation sites of the young republic. 1936-1980 Excavations continue under the leadership of Hamit Zubeyr Kosay. 1998- Following an interlude in the 80s, excavations resume under the direction Prof. Dr. Aykut Cinaroglu of the Department of Archeology at Ankara University.

From Alacahoyuk

From Alacahoyuk

From Alacahoyuk