Sirkeli Höyük, Archaeological site in Ceyhan, Turkey.
Sirkeli Höyük is an archaeological site covering a large area where the Ceyhan River meets the foothills of the Misis Mountains, making it a substantial settlement mound in the region. The site reveals multiple layers of occupation spanning from prehistoric times through the Iron Age, with rock carvings that include royal imagery.
Systematic excavation began here in 1936, revealing evidence of human settlement across multiple major time periods from prehistoric cultures onward. The discoveries showed that this location remained continuously inhabited and transformed by different peoples over thousands of years.
The rock reliefs visible here show how the Hittite kingdom expressed its power through carved images on stone, with King Muwatalli II depicted in royal form. Local visitors today see this site as a direct connection to their region's deep past and identity.
The site is located in southeastern Turkey near modern road connections and is easiest to reach for independent travelers with a vehicle. The location sits on open ground, so visitors should prepare for exposure to sun and bring adequate water supplies.
Some researchers believe this location may have been Lawazantiya, an ancient center of trade and religious activity connected to a prominent Hittite queen. This theory would explain why the site held such importance in the region's early history.
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