In 2023, archaeologists unearthed a Hittite royal seal emblazoned with the haunting message "whoever breaks this will die" in the ancient city of Büklükale in Türkiye's Kırıkkale Province.
IHAA closeup of the cuneiform on the Hittite seal reading “whoever breaks this will die.”
For more than a decade, Dr. Kimiyoshi Matsumura and his team have been excavating the ancient Hittite city of Büklükale in Türkiye.
In 2023, the team unearthed an astounding Hittite royal seal bearing a cuneiform inscription that reads, “whoever breaks this will die.”
The discovery of the seal is now shedding light on the legal, religious, and governmental practices of the Hittite Empire and helping to reveal the importance of the ancient city of Büklükale within the empire’s sphere of influence.
Archaeologists Uncover The Hittite Seal At Büklükale
IHAArchaeologists excavate at Büklükale, an important city during the height of the Hittite Empire.
In 2023, Matsumura and his team discovered fragments of a clay seal featuring cuneiform while excavating the ancient city of Büklükale. The city is located nearly 70 miles southeast of Ankara, the capital city of Türkiye, on the banks of the Kızılırmak River.
Matsumura had been leading excavations in this ancient city for more than 14 years when he discovered the mysterious seal.
After deciphering its cuneiform text, researchers uncovered that the seal bore an ominous warning: “Whoever breaks this will die.”
“There is cuneiform writing on this seal. On the seal, the Great King Tabarna (Sovereign King) or Tavananna (Sovereign Queen) writes ‘Whoever breaks this will die’,” Dr. Matsumara told the İhlas News Agency.
This seal is unique for delivering a harsh threat to its recipient. Typically in Hittite society, most punishments included fines or compensation rather than death. This seal’s warning shows that whatever agreement it protected was worth dying for.
However, the exact nature of that agreement, and who it involved, remains shrouded in mystery.
What Does This Seal Say About The Importance Of Büklükale?
IHAA fragment of the royal seal discovered in the dirt at Büklükale.
Researchers suggest that the seal demonstrates the importance of the ancient city of Büklükale within the Hittite Empire.
Throughout the second half of the second millennium B.C.E., Büklükale was an important center of transportation and trade, especially with the Assyrians. Meanwhile, at the height of the Hittite Empire, this city would have served as an important military base for the royal family.
The seal came from the royal capital city of Hattusa, likely indicating that the two cities had an important relationship.
“These seals were usually stamped on contracts, stating that if something was done against the contract, it would be penalized. The king and queen from Hattusa sent something here. This shows that this city was in intensive relations between Hattusa and the royal family,” said Matsumura.
Additionally, the archaeologists digging at the site have also uncovered Hurrian tablets, religious items that would have been used in various ceremonies.
“Recently, Hurrian tablets have been found. The discovery of Hurrian tablets shows that religious ceremonies were held here. It is known that these ceremonies were held by the Hittite royal family, the king or queen. Therefore, it is thought that the Hittite king came or resided here. It shows that Büklükale was an important city,” Matsumura stated.
But exactly how important Büklükale once was may only become clear with further excavations.
After reading about the Hittite seal, dive into the mysteries of Göbekli Tepe, the oldest temple in the world, as well as Türkiye’s ancient underground city of Derinkuyu. Then, read about 44 ancient artifacts that unlock the mysteries of humanity’s past.
