3,500-year-old arrowhead and knucklebone found at Türkiye’s Troy
Archaeologists have uncovered a 3,500-year-old arrowhead, knucklebone, and a pointed tool known as a "bız" used for perforating fabrics and leather during excavations at the 5,500-year-old Troy Ancient City, located in Tevfikiye village near Canakkale, Türkiye, September 6, 2024 (AA PHoto)
Recent excavations in the Ancient City of Troy have uncovered a 3,500-year-old arrowhead, knucklebone, and a pointed tool known as a “biz” (bone tools) used for perforating fabrics and leather.
Located in the village of Tevfikiye, near Canakkale, the site of Troy dates back approximately 5,500 years. These latest discoveries shed light on significant aspects of the ancient city’s history.
Troy, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, has been the focus of official excavations since the 1870s. Ongoing excavations, supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University (COMU), and major sponsor ICDAS, are set to continue for 12 months. The discoveries from these digs are providing archaeologists with crucial insights.
Excavation leader Professor Rustem Aslan explained that the work is concentrated in areas identified as Troy 6 and Troy 7, linked to the Homeric Troy and featuring defense walls and palace structures dating from 1500-1600 B.C. to 1200 B.C. The aim is to understand the chronological relationships between these structures and refine their dating.
Arrowhead and knucklebone: Unusual discoveries
Professor Aslan noted that among the findings from the Late Bronze Age context, the team discovered arrowheads, bone tools (biz), and a knucklebone. The arrowheads were used for both hunting and warfare, while the bız was utilized in leatherworking.
The knucklebone, a rare find in Troy, was used in games dating back to the Neolithic period. This particular knucklebone is the first of its kind discovered in the last decade of excavations.
These findings are believed to be from areas associated with the ruling class, as such artifacts are typically found in locations inhabited by the elite. Professor Aslan emphasized that these are not ordinary finds and are seldom encountered elsewhere.
The latest discoveries at Troy are of considerable archaeological and historical importance. The arrowheads, knucklebone, and biz provide valuable clues about the social and cultural practices of ancient Troy. Further analysis of these artifacts is expected as excavation efforts continue.
