Alalakh

Alalakh is an archaeological site in Hatay Province that shows two palace ruins from 1900-1500 BCE with stone foundations and mud-brick walls. The buildings were arranged around central courtyards and sit on a tell containing layered remains of different civilizations built one on top of another.

The settlement was founded around 3400 BCE and experienced different occupation periods, including Egyptian, Mitanni, Mesopotamian, and Hittite phases. Each of these cultures shaped the site over centuries through construction and rebuilding.

The Level VII palace shows building styles that were common in the region and blends Egyptian, Mitanni, and Mesopotamian influences. Visitors can see how different cultures left their mark through the way they constructed their buildings here.

The site lies about 22 kilometers from Antakya and can be reached via the road to Reyhanlı. Many of the artifacts found here are displayed at the Hatay Archaeological Museum, which gives a good overview of the discoveries.

The Level IV palace contained hundreds of clay tablets with written records that reveal how the city's administration was organized. These archives offer insights into daily life and business practices of that era.