Kültepe-Kaniş/Karum Mound is an archeological site located approximately 21–24 kilometers northeast of Kayseri city center, about 2 kilometers north of the 20th kilometer mark on the Kayseri-Sivas highway, within the boundaries of Karahöyük Neighborhood. The mound is around 500 meters in diameter and rises 20 meters above the plain. The archaeological site consists of two main components: the central mound and the lower town (Karum) surrounding it.

^{Kültepe Archaeological Site (Türkiye Kültür Portalı)}

Historical Continuity and Settlement Phases

Settlement at Kültepe dates back to the late 4th millennium BCE, with recent excavations revealing evidence from as early as 3300 BCE in the central mound. Kültepe is considered one of the earliest examples of complex settlements in Central Anatolia. During the 2nd millennium BCE, the site became the capital of the Kingdom of Kanesh and a central hub of the Assyrian Trade Colonies system.

Excavation History

Scientific excavations began in 1948 under the auspices of the Turkish Historical Society and the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums. Currently, the excavations are led by faculty members from the Department of Archaeology at Ankara University’s Faculty of Language, History, and Geography. Interest in the site was sparked by the discovery of cuneiform tablets in 1871, and the Karum area was identified in 1925. Excavations are planned year-round but are subject to seasonal field conditions.

Architecture and Material Culture

Excavations at Kültepe have revealed various architectural structures, multi-headed figurines, pottery samples, remnants of religious and public buildings, painted ceramics, and numerous animal bones. Notably, large architectural structures and temple remains from the reign of King Anitta, dating to the end of the Colony Period, have been found. A marsh formation to the west of the mound dates back approximately 4,800 years.

Kültepe Tablets

Approximately 23,500 cuneiform tablets unearthed at Kültepe are regarded as the earliest written documents in Anatolia. Written in Old Assyrian dialect, these texts include letters, trade contracts, promissory notes, inheritance records, seals, and court decisions—legal and economic documents from private archives rather than state institutions. These tablets constitute one of the most extensive collections of private documents in the ancient Near East. In 2015, they were inscribed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.

Assyrian Trade Colonies Period and Aftermath

Kültepe’s most intense period of occupation corresponds to the Assyrian Trade Colonies Age (2000–1700 BCE). Earlier studies suggested a sudden end to this period; however, recent excavations indicate that the Colony Age continued for nearly a century longer. Even after the Assyrian merchants departed, commercial and socio-political activity at the site persisted, as evidenced by structural remains and artifacts.

Cultural and Historical Significance

Kültepe functioned as a crucial intersection for trade and cultural exchange among Anatolia, Syria, and Mesopotamia. The site yields archaeological evidence from the Assyrian, Late Hittite, Hellenistic, Roman, Persian, and Tabal periods. The beginning of historical ages in Anatolia is defined through the presence of the Kültepe tablets, making the site uniquely significant for Anatolian archaeology.

Museums and Displayed Artifacts

Artifacts excavated from Kültepe are exhibited at the Kayseri Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara, and the Istanbul Archaeology Museums. The finds include architectural fragments, ceramic pieces, idols, cuneiform tablets, and various small objects.

International Status and Protection

Kültepe-Kaniş/Karum Mound was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List in 2014. The site is also one of the key archive centers under UNESCO’s Memory of the World Program. Excavations are supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, local governments, and non-governmental organizations.