- Prominent Professor Harvey Weiss is leading a pivotal study at the Kültepe site near Kayseri, Turkey.
- The focus is on exploring how ancient societies adjusted to environmental changes.
Kültepe, a significant archaeological expanse of 300 hectares, lies about 20 kilometres from Kayseri. It incorporates the remnants of the earliest city established by the Hittites in Anatolia, featuring ruins of essential structures such as administrative and religious facilities, residences, and shops. Ongoing excavations by Fikri Kulakoğlu of Ankara University have uncovered crucial insights into the lifestyles and adjustments of the region’s ancient inhabitants.
Research Objectives
- Examine the region’s adaptation strategies 4,200 years ago in response to climate shifts.
- Analyze Weiss’s previous work on the Akkadian Empire’s collapse due to arid conditions for comparison.
Harvey Weiss, noted for his investigations into the Akkadian Empire, is joining this excavation team to further explore the local society’s adjustments to climate impacts. His findings reveal a transformation from large buildings to smaller dwellings, suggesting a societal shift driven by climate change.
At the study’s conclusion, seed samples extracted from building floors will help date and understand historical rainfall patterns, providing a clearer picture of the local adaptation strategies under environmental stress.
Significance of Findings
- Offers insights into societal resilience and adaptation in ancient Anatolian metropolises.
- Connects findings to past studies in Syria and Iraq, emphasizing regional climate effects.
Weiss’s ongoing work at Kültepe highlights the archaeological relevance to Anatolia’s history and its cultural significance to Turkey. The observed climate-induced developments in the region underscore the broader impact of abrupt weather changes in Mesopotamia and beyond.
In reflecting on the site’s importance, Weiss stresses that understanding Kültepe is indispensable to grasping Anatolia’s historical narrative.
Source: Excavations in Türkiye’s Kültepe reveal ancient strategies for climate adaptation