Alacahöyük, Archaeological complex in Çorum Province, Turkey.
Alacahöyük is an archaeological excavation site in Çorum Province containing remains from multiple periods layered one above another. It features building foundations, a monumental gateway flanked by sphinx sculptures, and stone carvings showing hunting scenes and ceremonial processions.
The mound shows human occupation spanning more than 3,000 years, from the early Bronze Age through the Iron Age. The successive layers document the transformation from small village communities into a significant center during the Hittite period.
The name refers to the speckled appearance of the mound where layers of ancient settlements are visible. Visitors can observe how religious rituals and daily life were organized through the ruins of temples and dwellings that remain on the surface.
The open-air site allows visitors to walk among the excavation layers with pathways and information panels explaining each period. A small museum on the grounds displays local artifacts, while the most valuable pieces are housed in Ankara for broader public access.
An ancient dam from the 13th century BC with clay and limestone construction still stands and continues to water the surrounding farmland. The engineering of this early water storage system reveals the practical knowledge possessed by people of that era.
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