Hattusa marks 40 years on UNESCO World Heritage List

The Çorum Governor's Office has released a collection of historical excavation photographs to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Hattusa being named a UNESCO World Heritage site. The images, compiled from the archives of the German Archaeological Institute and the Hattusa Excavation Presidency, document over a century of scientific work dating back to the first excavations in 1906.

Located in the Boğazkale district of Çorum, Hattusa served as the political, administrative, and religious capital of the Hittite Empire during the 2nd millennium BCE. The ancient city is characterized by its extensive fortifications spanning over eight kilometers, including the Lion Gate and the King's Gate, as well as the Great Temple in the Lower City. Nearby, the Yazılıkaya open-air rock sanctuary features reliefs depicting Hittite deities.

Çorum Governor Ali Çalgan emphasized the site's significance to human history, noting that the Hittite civilization's contributions to governance, law, architecture, and diplomacy highlight Anatolia's importance in global history. The archival photos serve to preserve the memory of the archaeological efforts that brought these structures to light.