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BOGAZKALE (HITTITE
SITE)
All
the major early Hittite sites lie in the province of
Corum in Bogazkale National Park, between Yozgat and
the city of Corum. Impressive double walls, in which
are set the Royal Gate, the Lion Gate and the Yer Kapi
(an underground tunnel), ring the Hittite city of
Hattusas, known today as Bogazkale. This city, the
Hittite religious center, was known as the City of
Temples because over 70 temples stood there. The
largest ruins are those of the great temple of the
storm god Tesup. The Acropolis contained government
buildings, the Imperial Palace and the archives of the
Hittite Empire. In 1180 B.C. the Phrygians devastated
the city. After thorough excavations at the site the
city walls are now being extensively restored.
Yazilikaya, an open air rock pantheon dating from the
13th century B.C., contains fine reliefs of all the
Hittite gods and goddesses. |
