Ancient Adobe Throne Found At Aslantepe, An Acient Hittite Site, Turkey

AncientPages.com - Aslantepe is one of the most excavated ancient sites in Central Anatolia, Turkey.

Ancient throne made of adobe has been found during this year's excavations at Aslantepe, an ancient Hittite site located in the eastern province of Malatya.

The throne dates back to some 5,000 years ago.

Aslantepe adobe throne

The throne was found in a building within the palace that the archaeologists think was used as a public building.

The throne - used by kings or city executives - was found in a section of the palace which they thought served as a public building, and it was made of adobe, which is also the construction material of the palace, said Professor Marcella Frangipane from La Sapienza University of Rome

Additionally archaeologists have unearthed burned pieces of wood inside the palace, said Frangipane, adding, "It might have been be used as a platform to sit on the throne."

Aslantepe throne

Aslantepe, adobe throne. AA Photos

The area around the throne was not a temple, adding there were also two window divisions behind the throne.

The professor said the public building inside the palace in Aslantepe was very big, and continued:

"It has very big walls, two meters thick. Maybe the building has two stories or maybe more. The building is not a temple but a king's building, which is important. A secular system started in Aslantepe with this palace system.

Aslantepe's ruins of the adobe palace

Ruins of the adobe palace, Aslantepe

We don't know exactly but we have found something like this for the first time. The state system starts at this point. There is a small platform in the yard for people to appear before the king. A ceremony is organized for anything but this is not for religion; it shows the power of the state and the king. It is very important to find out how the state system started. This is why Aslantepe is very important."

Aslantepe's ruins of the palace

Part of the adobe palace at the Aslantepe

Frangipane said with the new discoveries and the existence of the palace, the number of tourists visiting the region would increase.

"There is not such a big and old building in any other place. We took it under protection. We found the gate of the palace 30 years ago. It was still the same. There are paintings on the walls, they still exist, too. They should be covered against humidity."

AncientPages.com

Source: