Alaca Hüyük

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[Alacahuyuk, Alacahüyük, Alacahöyük] A tell site in north central Turkey, near Boghaz Köy and 150 km east of Ankara, that was occupied in the 4th, 3rd, and 2nd millennia BC. Its Chalcolithic and Copper Age phases include a cemetery of 13 extremely rich tombs from c 2500 BC (Early Bronze Age II). The burials were single and double inhumations in rectangular pits, with fine metalwork including copper figurines (thought to be mounts from funeral standards), sun discs, ornaments, weapons, jugs and goblets, diadems, bracelets, and beads. The quantity of gold and copper imply that this was a royal cemetery. The tombs were lined with rough stone and skulls and hooves of animals were hung from the wooden beams as part of the funeral rite. The site was later reoccupied under the Hittites, who erected a monumental gateway with two great stone sphinxes. It has been tentatively identified as the Hittite holy city of Arinna.

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Tell site in northern Turkey, cl 50 km east of Ankara, occupied in the 4th, 3rd and 2nd millennia BC. A group of 13 extremely rich tombs from the Early Bronze Age II (early 3rd millennium BC) was found outside the town and is thought to represent a royal cemetery. The burials were single and double inhumations in rectangular pits, accompanied by a wealth of fine metalwork. This included two very early iron daggers (made of terrestrial iron) with gold-plated handles; swords, daggers, maceheads, spears and battle-axes of copper and bronze; jugs and goblets of gold, silver, electrum, copper and bronze; diadems, brooches, bracelets, pins and beads in gold; and figurines of bulls and stags in copper, inlaid with electrum, thought to be mounts from funeral standards. The tombs were lined with rough stone walling and roofed with a ceiling of wooden beams, over which skulls and hooves of animals were placed as part of the funeral rite. The city was reoccupied in the Hittite period and it has been tentatively identified as the Hittite holy city of Arinna. The best-known monument of this period is a monumental gateway guarded by two great carved sphinxes.

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