Introduction

A new clay tablet from 3,000 years ago has been uncovered, revealing a lost language that includes a ritual text from one of the most powerful ancient empires.

Excavation in Turkey

The tablet was excavated from Boğazköy-Hattuşa in north-central Turkey, at the site of Hattusha, the former Hittite capital. The area is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Discovery and Publication

The tablet was discovered earlier this year during an annual expedition led by Andreas Schachner, an archaeologist at the German Archaeological Institute. The findings were recently published by the University of Würzburg on September 21.

Ancient Ritual Text

The tablet was immediately identified by Schachner as a ritual text written in Hittite. According to Schachner, the tablet is believed to be part of a library or archive due to the clusters of texts found in the area.

Uncovering the Lost Language

After analyzing the tablet, Daniel Schwemer, a professor at the University of Würzburg, identified the language as Kalašma, spoken in a region on the northwestern edge of the Hittite heartland. Schwemer noted that the Hittites had a particular interest in recording rituals in foreign languages.

Potential Insights

While the exact content of the tablet remains unclear and no photos have been released, researchers believe that the findings will shed light on the linguistic landscapes of Late Bronze Age Anatolia and provide a better understanding of how ancient languages worked during that time.

Powerful Ancient Empire

The Hittites were one of the most powerful empires in the ancient world, engaging in battles with the Egyptians for control of Canaan, which is now southern Syria, Lebanon, and Israel.

Conclusion

The discovery of this lost language on the ancient clay tablet is a significant step towards unraveling the mysteries of the past and gaining insights into the linguistic diversity of the ancient world.