Historical tablet and forgotten Anatolian language discovered in Türkiye's Corum
Archaeologists and linguists are enthusiastically deciphering a recently unearthed tablet from Hattusa Ruins, Türkiye's Corum province. The tablet, inscribed in the previously unknown Anatolian language Kalasma, was discovered during ongoing excavations led by Professor Dr. Andreas Schachner of the German Archaeological Institute.
Experts are diligently working to decipher a recently found tablet in the ancientHittite capital of Hattusa Ruins, located in Türkiye's Corum province. The tablet, which contains inscriptions in a previously unknown Anatolian language called Kalasma, has ignited excitement among archaeologists and linguists.
The tablet was discovered during ongoing excavations led by Professor Dr. Andreas Schachner from the German Archaeological Institute. It stands out due to its remarkable preservation, with the text partially written in Hittite and later in the newly identified Kalasma language.
Schachner shared that when he first held the tablet, he was struck by its excellent condition. Linguists specializing in ancient languages were tasked with translating it, revealing a summary in Hittite on the tablet's upper side, followed by the unknown Kalasma language. The tablet concludes with the instruction to "read in the language of the country of Kalasma."
The location of the Kalasma civilization is believed to be in the Western Black Sea region, which encompasses present-day Bolu-Gerede and Karabuk in Türkiye.
This discovery sheds new light on the multilingual nature of Anatolia during the Hittite era. It reinforces the understanding that the Hittites were connected to regions further afield. The tablet's Hittite section mentions religious rituals, providing insights into Hittite religious practices.
Schachner highlighted that the Hittites were known for their religious tolerance and inclusivity. By incorporating the gods of conquered regions into their own temples and allowing religious rituals in local languages, the Hittites extended their influence and respect in these areas.
The ongoing efforts to translate the tablet involve linguists, particularly specialists in Indo-European languages. An analysis is expected to be completed by the next year, at which point the scientific community will engage in discussions and share their interpretations.
For now, the tablet's image has not been made public as the work of translation and analysis continues.
Source: Anadolu Agency
