Carchemish Ancient City is a historical settlement located on the western bank of the Euphrates River, southeast of the Karkamış district in Gaziantep province, along the Türkiye-Syria border. With its geographical location, geopolitical significance, and rich cultural heritage, the ancient city served as an important crossroads between the civilizations of Anatolia and Mesopotamia, attracting the attention of many major empires throughout history.
A Relief from the Ancient City of Carchemish - Karkamış Belediyesi
Geography
Carchemish is located at the point where the Barak Plain meets the Euphrates River, at an elevation between 300 and 400 meters. It is situated on fertile lands with abundant water resources. Natural water sources such as the Euphrates River, Nizip Stream, and Elmalı Creek have supported continuous habitation of the area throughout both prehistoric and historical periods. The region falls under the influence of the Southeastern Anatolia steppe climate—hot and dry summers, and cool winters with limited precipitation.
History
Carchemish is an ancient settlement positioned on the western bank of the Euphrates River, within the transitional zone between Mesopotamia and Anatolia. Today, the ancient city lies precisely on the Turkey-Syria border. Throughout its long history, it came under the rule of many major civilizations. The settlement's origins date back to the Neolithic Age, around 8000 BCE, and it is notable for its uninterrupted occupation up to the present day.
Early Settlement and Hittite Rule
Archaeological excavations indicate that the earliest traces of settlement in Carchemish reach back to the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods. Although the city did not hold particular prominence in the mid-3rd millennium BCE, it began to rise in importance during the Middle Bronze Age around 2000 BCE, when it came under Babylonian control. In the 1600s BCE, the city was captured by the Hittites and, by the 14th century BCE, it had become a significant city-state and a forward stronghold of the Hittite Empire in Syria.
A Relief from the Ancient City of Carchemish - Karkamış Belediyesi
Post-Hittite Period and Independent Kingdom
Following the collapse of the Hittite Empire, Carchemish emerged as an independent kingdom during the Neo-Hittite period. This era marked the peak of the city’s political and cultural influence. From the 12th century BCE onward, it became one of the most powerful city-states in the region, playing key roles in trade, defense, and administration. During this period, its population is estimated to have reached around 30,000 inhabitants.
Assyrian and Later Dominations
From the 8th century BCE, Carchemish came under Assyrian influence. In 604 BCE, the city was invaded by Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II, marking the end of its status as an independent Neo-Hittite city-state. In the centuries that followed, Carchemish continued to exist under the control of the Roman and Byzantine empires. During the Middle Ages, it was ruled by the Byzantines and Arabs, and later taken over by the Seljuk Turks and the Mamluks.
Ottoman and Modern Era
In 1516, Carchemish came under Ottoman rule and was recorded as a small hamlet. Toward the end of the 17th century, the Ottoman administration settled members of the Barak tribe in the region as part of a strategic resettlement policy. In the 19th century, the construction of a railway increased the settlement's significance. During World War I, excavations carried out by British archaeologists brought the site back into scholarly focus. After the war, the region was briefly occupied by French forces but was liberated in 1920. With the 1921 Ankara Agreement and the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, the modern border between Turkey and Syria was drawn—leaving half of the ancient city within each country.
Architectural Structures and Archaeological Findings
Carchemish Ancient City was continuously inhabited from the Neolithic Age onward, and it flourished as a major city-state during the Hittite and Neo-Hittite periods. The architectural remains and archaeological discoveries unearthed from the site vividly illustrate the region's cultural richness across millennia.
Carchemish Ancient City - Karkamış Belediyesi
Architectural Structures
The settlement of the ancient city was established on a natural mound known as a “höyük.” The city was organized into two main sections: the upper city (acropolis) and the lower city. Particularly during the Neo-Hittite period, as the city expanded, the lower city was also enclosed by defensive walls, creating a unified fortification system. Examination of the site’s stratigraphy reveals distinct architectural layers corresponding to the Pre-Hittite, Middle Hittite, and Neo-Hittite periods.
Excavations conducted by archaeologist Sir Leonard Woolley revealed traces of habitation from different eras atop the hill where the fortress was located. The architectural development, which began with simple structures from the prehistoric period, evolved into a complex and symbolic layout during the Neo-Hittite era—characterized by defensive walls, temple structures, and monumental gateways. The expansion of the fortification system to encompass the lower city reflects the city's growing population and its increasing strategic importance.
Archaeological Findings
Excavations at Carchemish have uncovered a wide array of statues, reliefs, steles, bas-reliefs, and inscriptions. Among the most prominent artifacts are lion statues, stone figures depicting seated human forms, hieroglyphic inscriptions, and reliefs portraying mythological scenes—all representative of the distinctive artistic style of the Neo-Hittite period.
Additionally, burial sites from various periods yielded personal items such as weapons, beads, ornamental objects, and ceramic vessels. Notably, in Bronze Age graves, the inclusion of weapons and decorative items alongside the deceased offers valuable insights into the belief systems and social structures of the time.
Inscriptions Found in Carchemish - Karkamış Belediyesi
A significant portion of the artifacts unearthed during excavations carried out on behalf of the British Museum was transported abroad. These artifacts include relief panels, statues, steles inscribed with hieroglyphs, and architectural ornamentation fragments. Many of these items were excavated during the campaigns led by figures such as David George Hogarth, Leonard Woolley, and T.E. Lawrence. Some of the artifacts recovered during this period were also documented by Gertrude Bell.
Reliefs Found in Carchemish - Karkamış Belediyesi
Preservation and Current Status
Today, Carchemish Ancient City continues to be evaluated and protected through modern conservation approaches. Certain areas of the site have been covered with protective roofing structures, similar to those used at Göbeklitepe. This method aims to shield the remains from environmental damage while also providing a safer and more accessible experience for visitors to the archaeological zone.
Archaeological Excavations and Scholarly Research
Modern archaeological investigations at Carchemish began in the late 19th century, led by British archaeologists. The first work was initiated in 1876 by George Smith and later continued by figures such as Consul Henderson of Aleppo, David George Hogarth, Leonard Woolley, and T.E. Lawrence. Excavations carried out on behalf of the British Museum revealed remains from the Neo-Hittite period as well as deeper layers dating back to the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods.
During these excavations, numerous statues, reliefs, and architectural elements were uncovered and subsequently transported to the British Museum. This transfer process was criticized in Ottoman records, particularly for the unauthorized removal of cultural property. Notably, the activities of Hogarth and Lawrence were not limited to archaeology but also had intelligence-related dimensions, closely tied to the political developments of the time.
Cultural and Strategic Significance
One of the most enduring factors contributing to Carchemish’s historical importance is its geographical location. Positioned at the intersection of ancient trade routes linking Anatolia, Mesopotamia, and the Levant, the city also controlled a key crossing point over the Euphrates River. Its location on a defensible rise made it highly attractive from both military and economic perspectives. For empires such as the Hittites, Assyrians, and others, Carchemish was more than just a city—it was a strategic gateway to regional dominance.
Carchemish Ancient City - Karkamış Belediyesi
Carchemish Today
The ancient city's site is divided between two countries: part of it lies within the borders of Türkiye, while the other part remains in Syrian territory. A significant portion of the archaeological remains is currently located within Turkey and is under legal protection.
As for the modern town of Karkamış, its population was around 4,000 in the early 2000s but declined to below 3,000 during the 2010s. Despite this demographic decrease, the archaeological site continues to be recognized as a significant cultural heritage area, where scholarly excavations and research are still actively ongoing.
