Unearthing ancient secrets: 6,000-year-old Hittite holy city Nerik uncovered in Türkiye

Archaeologists have uncovered 27 cuneiform tablets during ongoing excavations at Oymaagac Hoyuk/Nerik in Vezirkopru, Samsun, revealing crucial information about the Hittite sacred city of Nerik.

The site has been under continuous exploration since 2005, led by professor Rainer M. Czichon, head of the department of archaeology at Usak University, with associate professor Mehmet Ali Yilmaz at Ondokuz Mayis University, serving as the deputy head of excavations.

Some of the remarkable artifacts discovered at the site are on display at the Samsun Museum. The 2024 excavation season, which began in July, is still underway and is expected to continue until November.

Nerik tracing back 6,000 years

Nerik’s history dates back 6,000 years, with its earliest settlement rooted in the Chalcolithic period. Yilmaz describes it as a thriving hub during the Early and Late Bronze Ages, while its significance persisted into the Iron Age before it lost its status as a settlement during the Roman period, eventually becoming a burial site.

During this year’s excavations, archaeologists have focused on a wide plain located northwest of the Hoyuk.

Yilmaz highlighted that the remains of Iron Age architecture found in this area provide new insights into ancient construction techniques.

“We are uncovering structures built using the ‘canty technique,’ where logs were stacked on top of each other, a style prevalent in forested regions,” he explained. “Every year, we make significant findings that further support the hypothesis about Nerik’s history. This year’s discoveries include more cuneiform documents, which are being meticulously prepared for publication and will be reported to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.”

Cuneiform tablets reveal sacred sites

Yilmaz shared details about the cuneiform tablets unearthed so far, stating, “We have discovered 27 cuneiform tablets, many of which are currently on display at the Samsun Museum. These tablets contain mentions of Nerik and provide descriptions of its surrounding geography.

One of the most significant recurring terms is ‘Dahanga,’ a part of the temple dedicated to the storm god. This year, we once again found Dahanga mentioned on newly discovered tablets, reinforcing our understanding of Nerik’s religious landscape.”

Sacred spring of storm God Teshub

One of the most fascinating sections of the Oymaagac Hoyuk site is a tunnel leading down 52 steps to an eight-meter-deep, 22-meter-long spring, where excavations were completed in 2019. Discovered in 2009, this spring was significant to the Hittites, described in ancient texts as “the beloved spring of the storm god.”

“In Hittite rituals, this spring was a vital water source,” Yilmaz told Türkiye Today.

“The water currently flows at a higher level, but during the Hittite period, it was channeled more systematically. We found wooden artifacts in the spring, mixed with water and mud, which radiocarbon dating suggests are from the late 10th century B.C., indicating that the spring continued to be in use during the Iron Age, even 3,000 years ago.”

The Oymaagac Hoyuk excavations are conducted with the permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums.

They receive support from various local authorities, including Samsun Governorship, Vezirkopru District Governorship, Samsun Metropolitan Municipality, and Vezirkopru Municipality, with contributions from Usak University and Ondokuz Mayis University.

The ongoing excavations at Oymaagac Hoyuk continue to shed light on the ancient Hittite city of Nerik, revealing its rich history, religious significance, and architectural styles. The discovery of 27 cuneiform tablets and other significant artifacts, such as the sacred spring, highlights the importance of this site in understanding the Hittite civilization’s cultural and religious practices.

As the excavations progress, archaeologists anticipate further groundbreaking findings that will deepen our knowledge of Türkiye’s ancient heritage.