The talk was given by archaeologist Dr. Andreas Schachner to over 300 people.
Washington, D.C. - On Friday, January 29th, Yunus Emre Institute hosted the first edition of the Ancient Wonders Lecture Series about the Hattuşa dig site. YEE was joined by Dr. Andreas Schachner, the Lead Archaeologist representing the German Archaeology Institute on site. The event was conducted virtually in consideration of health concerns. Over 300 people were able to attend both in the meeting room and via social media live streams.
This series was organized to celebrate Turkey’s historical treasures. Hattuşa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in central Turkey near Boğazkale. The city reached its peak in the Bronze Age as the capital of the Hittite Empire, but was abandoned over 3000 years ago. It was resettled by the Romans in the 2nd century A.D., but was abandoned again shortly after. The site is well known for its well-preserved city walls, temple foundations, and trove of cuneiform tablets.
Dr. Andreas Schachner leads the excavation and protection of the dig site. His talk concerned the history of the site and recent discoveries that his team has made. He covered a wide range of topics such as how geography influenced the city, how its economy likely worked, and the temples and other structures built by the city’s kings. He also answered many questions from the audience in attendance. For example, he received questions about dating techniques for artifacts and burial practices in the Hittite Empire. One of the guests brought up the Kadesh Treaty, an ancient document signed between the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians that is often called the first peace treaty recorded in the world. Dr. Schachner clarified that the document is not necessarily the first treaty as there were plenty between winners and losers of wars that predate the Kadesh document, but it was the very first treaty that recognized both parties as equals to be mutually respected. The original Kadesh treaty is currently held in the Istanbul Archaeological Museum, and a second copy is held in the U.N. Headquarters.
Dr. Schachner and the institute received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the audience both in the meeting room and on the social media streams. Yunus Emre Institute appreciates everyone who was able to join and hopes that they will return for three remaining lectures on Feb. 12th, Feb. 26th, and March 12th.
Yunus Emre Institute is a Turkish cultural center located in Washington, D.C. and around the world. The institute hosts events and programs that educate the public about Turkey’s culture, history, and language. For more information about the institute’s mission or online programs, please email washingtondc@yee.org.tr or follow @yeewdc on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.