The Hittites -also known as the Etes in ancient sources- were one of the most significant civilizations of Anatolia, ruling from around 1650 BCE to 1200 BCE. They spoke Hittite and Luwian, members of the Anatolian branch of Indo-European languages, and employed both hieroglyphic and cuneiform scripts. Migrating from the Caucasus in small groups toward the end of the 3rd …
Ankara and its surrounding areas have been continuously inhabited since prehistoric times. The known history of Ankara stretches back to the Paleolithic Age. With a history spanning approximately 5,000 years, urban life in Ankara is believed to have continued uninterrupted. Its significance, which began due to its position on the ancient Royal Road, continues today as the capital of modern …
In this article, we’ll take you to one of the world’s richest museum complexes in terms of artifacts: the Istanbul Archaeological Museums. The reason it is referred to in plural form is that it includes three distinct museums located side by side in Istanbul‘s Historical Peninsula: the Archaeological Museum, the Tiled Kiosk, and the Museum of the Ancient Orient. Let’s …
Turkey boasts a rich cultural heritage, having been home to numerous civilizations throughout history. Millions of artifacts are exhibited across museums nationwide, preserving the legacies of hundreds of diverse cultures that have inhabited this land. Central Anatolia stands out as a culturally vibrant region, where traces from prehistoric times to the Ottoman era are displayed in its many museums. If …
Beypazarı, one of Turkey’s most prominent cultural tourism centers, owes its reputation to its strategic location that has supported a vibrant economy throughout history, and to the diverse civilizations that have settled in this commercial hub. From its unique architecture to its rich cuisine and traditional crafts, the district offers an authentic Anatolian experience. Located 98 kilometers west of Ankara, …
Siyez wheat is considered one of the oldest cultivated crops in human history. Regarded as the ancestor of modern wheat, this precious grain has been grown on Anatolian soil for 10,000 years. With its unaltered genetic structure, high nutritional value, and distinctive flavor, it illuminates not only our kitchens but also our cultural heritage. Origins and Name Story The Latin …
The Bağlama is a popular stringed musical instrument in Turkic countries such as Turkey and Azerbaijan. In Anatolia, it is considered a folk instrument. It has strings, a long neck, and a rounded body. Depending on its size and number of strings, it takes on different names, ranging from meydan sazı to ırızva. It is played with a type of …
Until recently, it was believed that beer was discovered in Egypt around 5,000 years ago and spread to other regions from there. However, increasing research over the past decade suggests that origins of beer was an innovation of pre-agricultural hunter-gatherer societies, dating back 12,000 to 13,000 years. Advances in archaeology show that beer is humanity’s oldest beverage, and Anatolia played …
Emerging from the ancient Phrygian Valley nestled between Afyonkarahisar, Eskişehir, and Kütahya, the Phrygian cap -also known as the red cap of liberty- has silently wrapped itself around global revolutions and independence movements. But how many know its Anatolian origin? Did you know that the same red cap seen during the French Revolution, the American struggle for independence, the coats …
Located 79 kilometers from Yozgat city center, the Sarıkaya Hot Springs are among Turkey’s most important health tourism destinations. With a history stretching back to the Hittite era, the region has witnessed civilizations from the Assyrians to the Romans, all drawn to its therapeutic thermal waters. During the Roman period, Sarıkaya became a well-known spa town, and to this day, …