# Hittite cuneiform archive discovery in Turkey

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/hittite-cuneiform-archive-discovery-in-turkey
> Updated: 2026-10-10T08:56:14.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 2.

Archaeologists excavating in Kayalıpınar, Sivas, have uncovered a significant cuneiform archive from the Hittite era. The discovery includes 131 new tablets and fragments, bringing the total number of artifacts found at the site to 184. These documents date back approximately 3,400 years to the reign of King Tudhaliya II.

Written in Hittite and Hurrian, the archive provides detailed information on ancient military correspondence, divination practices, and public health. Notably, the texts record a high-fever epidemic that spread between cities, specifically affecting infants and children. One account details the death and funeral rituals of a baby princess in the city of Ziulila. The findings suggest that the Hittite court monitored health outbreaks closely and utilized religious experts to interpret potential dangers.

Recent reports confirm that excavations in the ancient Hittite city of Šamuḫa have specifically yielded these 131 cuneiform tablets. These records document the fever epidemic and the subsequent royal medical monitoring and religious rituals employed to manage the crisis.

## Claims

- Archaeologists discovered 131 cuneiform tablets and fragments in the ancient Hittite city of Šamuḫa. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The total number of discovered cuneiform tablets and fragments has reached 184. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The records date back approximately 3,400 years to the reign of Hittite King Tudhaliya II. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The documents describe a fever epidemic that spread between cities and primarily affected infants and children. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- A young princess in the city of Ziulila died from the illness. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy reported the discovery on X. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-10: Archaeological discoveries reveal ancient violence and rituals

Archaeological discoveries in Scandinavia, Egypt, and Turkey reveal evidence of ancient violence, ritual sacrifices, and historical epidemics through bone analysis and cuneiform tablets.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hittite-archaeological-find-in-turkey-reveals-ancient-epidemic

### 2026-10-08: Kayalıpınar excavations reveal extensive Hittite cuneiform archive

Archaeologists in Sivas, Turkey, have uncovered 131 cuneiform tablets in Kayalıpınar, creating a massive Hittite archive detailing ancient military, religious, and medical history.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kayalpnar-excavations-reveal-extensive-hittite-cuneiform-archive

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Cite as: Hittite cuneiform archive discovery in Turkey. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/hittite-cuneiform-archive-discovery-in-turkey