Early Anatolian cultures → Old Assyrian Trade Colonies → Hittite Empire → Imperial Collapse → Neo-Hittite Kingdoms
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
This in-depth cultural and archaeological journey traces the formation, expansion, and transformation of the Hittite world (c. 2000–700 BCE) across Central and Southeastern Anatolia.
Participants follow the arc of history from the imperial
capital at Hattusa to the Neo-Hittite city-states that preserved Hittite traditions in Syria and the Euphrates frontier.
DAY 1 – Ankara: Introduction to the Hittites
Arrival in .
Visit the renowned , home to royal Hittite reliefs, cuneiform tablets, sphinxes, and ceremonial objects.
Lecture Topic:
Origins of the Hittites and Indo-European presence in Anatolia.
Overnight in Ankara.
DAY 2 – Hattusa: Imperial Capital
Drive to (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Explore:
Lion Gate
King’s Gate
Great Temple (Temple 1)
Royal Citadel (Büyükkale)
Fortification walls
Continue to , the open-air sanctuary depicting the Hittite pantheon.
Overnight in Boğazkale.
DAY 3 – Alacahöyük & Early Bronze Roots
Visit .
Highlights:
Early Bronze Age royal tombs
Sphinx Gate
Orthostat relief panels
Discussion: From Hattians to Hittites — cultural continuity and transformation.
DAY 4 – Cappadocia & Old Assyrian Trade
Travel to Cappadocia region.
Visit (ancient Kaneš), center of the Old Assyrian merchant
colonies (Karum system).
Study cuneiform tablets revealing trade, contracts, and daily life (c. 1900 BCE).
Overnight in Cappadocia.
DAY 5 – Tuwanuwa & Southern Routes
Drive to , associated with ancient Tuwanuwa, an important Late Hittite/Luwian center.
Continue to in Cilicia.
Lecture Topic:
Hittite expansion toward Syria & the Battle of Kadesh context.
Overnight in Adana.
DAY 6 – Karatepe: Neo-Hittite Frontier Fortress
Excursion to .
Explore:
Monumental gates
Bilingual Phoenician-Luwian inscriptions
Relief orthostats depicting royal and mythological scenes
Discussion: Neo-Hittite states after the imperial collapse (c. 1200 BCE).
Return to Adana.
DAY 7 – Hatay & Cultural Transition
Drive to .
Visit to examine regional Syro-Anatolian artifacts.
Lecture Topic:
Blending of Hittite, Aramaean, and Phoenician traditions.
Overnight in Antakya.
DAY 8 – Yesemek Sculpture Workshop
Drive to .
Examine unfinished sphinxes
and lions — insight into Neo-Hittite sculptural production techniques.
Continue to Gaziantep.
Overnight in .
DAY 9 – Zincirli (Sam’al)
Visit , capital of the Kingdom of Sam’al.
Explore:
City fortifications
Palace remains
Orthostat relief tradition
Discussion: Political fragmentation and Assyrian domination.
Return to Gaziantep.
DAY 10 – Karkamış: On the Euphrates Frontier
Final visit to , a major Neo-Hittite center excavated by British teams including T.E. Lawrence.
See:
Processional Way
Basalt reliefs
Defensive structures
Conclusion Session:
Legacy of the Hittites in Anatolian and Near Eastern
