Hats off to the Hittites. A major civilisation in the Bronze Age. Fought and beat the Egyptians. Eventually signed a peace treaty with them. A copy exists in NY UN HQ as the first peace treaty. The Hittites took over from the Hatti people. Hattusa was their capital city from 1650. Evidence of developed trade with Syria, Persia etc. The Sea Peoples were their eventual undoing about 450 years later.

Yazilikaya

23/08/25

A longish drive to see the main Hittite sites. These are the most important group of Hittite rock art. Two main chambers displaying Gods and scenes. The holy site was in use until late C16 bc.

Hattuşa

24/08/25

Thousands of tablets were eventually translated which told their history, laws, pacts trade etc. Finding them must have been an amazing archeological moment.

The only traces of this massive site are the stone foundations of the temples and the massive perimeter wall. They worshipped thousands of Gods, often those of assimilated civilisations. Lots of Gods so lots of foundations. Houses and the tops of temples were constructed from wood and mud bricks. Gates and walls also remain. Another them and us culture, but slaves were allowed to own property and marry.

J and I elected to walk the route, whereas everyone else elected to drive. But we loved the walk (except the long uphill) and being able to take in the views. A Turkish car stopped to chat. Amazed that a) we were walking the route and b) at how many places we had and planned to visit.

Our parking tonight is south of Ankara. A quiet spot with just one family picnicking. As they left, we were presented with a bag of tomatoes, cay/tea and an inordinate number of peppers. What on earth to do with them ??? as we only have 2 more nights in Jez before our Ankara / Istanbul / Dublin expedition.