The Excavations at Boğazköy-Hattuša in 2017

Abstract

In the course of ongoing work, features from the 2nd millennium B.C. – the kārum period and the Hittite epoch – as well as from the Roman imperial period were investigated in the north section of the Lower City of Hattuša. While the north terrace of the Lower City still served a residential purpose in the Middle Bronze Age, in ancient Hittite times at least parts of the area were used for the construction of a monumental building that existed and was extended through several construction phases. The accumulation of finds that are indicative of cult activity and especially drinking rituals is of decisive importance for the interpretation of the building. On a wide terrace west of Mıhraplıkaya the exposure of a large building with a water basin was continued. To the west of this area, a section of a potential villa complex was fully exposed. As a result of stratigraphic overlay, it is now possible to describe the development of the Roman settlement at Boğazköy from the 1st century A.D. through to the second half of the 4th century. Continuation of the documentation of various areas using a 3D scanner allows not only the charting of previously unknown districts of the city, but also a re-engagement with the monuments at Yazılıkaya and Nişantaş. Restoration and conservation measures concentrated on re-erecting the Lion Basin, cleaning the reliefs at Yazılıkaya and completing the western section of the Postern Wall.