Yazılıkaya, Ancient Hittite sanctuary in Çorum Province, Turkey.
Yazılıkaya is an ancient sacred site in Çorum Province with two chambers carved into natural limestone rock outcrops. The walls display detailed reliefs of 64 deities arranged in ceremonial processions, each figure carefully sculpted into the stone.
The site was established around 1300 BCE and served as a religious center near Hattusa where Hittite kings performed sacred rituals. The reliefs were maintained over generations and reflect the religious development of the Hittite kingdom.
The rock carvings display male deities on the left wall and female deities on the right, arranged to reflect how the Hittites understood divine order and power. This careful placement shows how the ancient people organized their spiritual beliefs into the landscape itself.
The site is open to visitors throughout the year and features informational panels explaining the meaning of each carved figure. Wear comfortable shoes as you will walk on uneven rocky paths while exploring the chambers.
Researchers discovered that this sanctuary functioned as a calendar device, with the arrangement of figures representing celestial cycles and seasonal patterns. This dual purpose shows how the Hittites wove astronomy and religious belief together.
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