Sirkeli Höyük is a large-scale settlement located approximately 40 kilometers east of the city center of Adana and about 10 kilometers southwest of the Ceyhan district, situated on the eastern bank of the Ceyhan River (ancient Pyramos). Measuring approximately 300 x 400 meters in size and rising 30 meters high, the mound lies at a historically significant crossroads between Mesopotamia and Central Anatolia. This geographic position made Sirkeli both a regional center and a gateway settlement throughout history. In addition to ancient east–west trade routes, natural passages between the Amanos and Misis Mountains further reinforced the site's strategic importance.
Although the ancient name of the settlement is not definitively known, some scholars suggest that Sirkeli may correspond to the city of Lawazantiya, mentioned in Hittite texts. This city is noted as the hometown of Puduhepa, indicating its religious and political significance. Indeed, textual sources identify Lawazantiya as a major cult center of the goddess Šauška.
Sirkeli Höyük in the background. (Photo: Marosch Novák, Sirkeli Projesi, Bern Üniversitesi)
Excavations
The first excavations at the site were carried out in 1936 by John Garstang on behalf of the University of Liverpool. In the 1990s, investigations continued under the direction of Barthel Hrouda. Since 2006, systematic excavations have been conducted under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Mirko Novák from the University of Bern, in collaboration with Dr. Deniz Yaşin, and supervised by Servet Kocaçınar from the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Excavation results indicate that Sirkeli Höyük has been continuously inhabited since the Late Chalcolithic Period (around 4000 BCE), expanded significantly during the Middle Bronze Age, and became one of the most important settlements in the region during the Late Bronze and Iron Ages. Archaeological units uncovered at the site include fortification walls, residential structures, ceramic workshops, and necropolis areas.
One of the most striking features of Sirkeli Höyük is a rock relief of Hittite King Muwatalli II (c. 1290–1272 BCE). This depiction is believed to have been created following his Syrian campaign, possibly upon returning from the Battle of Kadesh. On the opposite hillside stands Yılan Kale (Snake Castle), a medieval structure that further underscores the area’s role as a strategic checkpoint throughout history.
Current excavations at Sirkeli Höyük aim not only to uncover architectural and material culture remains but also to shed light on regional trade networks, cultural interactions, and the demographic structure of the settlement. Through geophysical surveys, satellite imagery, and stratigraphic analysis, both the upper and lower city layers have been increasingly mapped, allowing researchers to reconstruct the urban layout of the settlement in greater detail.
Findings
Archaeological excavations at Sirkeli Höyük reveal a long-term settlement sequence spanning from the Chalcolithic Period to the Early Roman era. The mound stands out not only for its multi-layered settlement structure but also for the rich diversity of artifacts unearthed. These finds serve as primary sources for understanding both local cultural development and regional interactions.
Selected ceramic finds from the site. (Photo: Susanne Rutishauser, Sirkeli Projesi, Bern Üniversitesi)
The earliest layers, dating to the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age, have been documented near the bedrock on the eastern side of the mound. Traces of settlement from this period include well-preserved architectural remains just beneath the surface and early pottery fragments. Notably, the discovery of objects such as cylinder seals points to trade and cultural connections with Mesopotamia.
During the Middle Bronze Age, the settlement appears to have expanded and become more complex in terms of urban structure. Evidence of intensified ceramic production is indicated by dense ceramic accumulations and production waste found in the flat area north of the mound. In this same area, excavation has revealed zones marked by large stone blocks, possibly indicating the presence of a river port.
The Late Bronze Age layers represent the period of the site’s greatest cultural and political significance. During this time, the settlement was divided into a "lower city" and an "upper city", with central areas enclosed by fortification walls. One of the most important finds from this era is a rock relief of King Muwatalli II, carved into a cliff facing the Ceyhan River. The relief depicts the king praying to a deity, conveying both political and religious messages. Additionally, in 1994, traces of a second relief—possibly depicting Mursili III (Urhi-Teshub) or Kurunta—were documented nearby.
Relief of Muwatalli II, located northeast of the citadel mound. (Photo: Alexander Ahrens, Sirkeli Projesi, Bern Üniversitesi.)
Findings from the Iron Age include fortification walls, residential structures, and various ceramic forms. Particularly notable is the “Area F”, where excavations uncovered a defensive wall from this period. This wall represents a significant example of Iron Age military architecture. The material culture from this period also provides insight into the post-Hittite political structure of the region.
Artifacts from the Hellenistic Period are concentrated in the upper layers of the mound. Excavations have revealed pottery sherds, residential remains, and a cemetery area dating to this era. Numerous terracotta vessels, including drinking and storage wares, as well as everyday ceramics, have been uncovered. Work carried out by archaeology students has contributed to the cataloging of Hellenistic ceramic forms. The Hellenistic necropolis located in the northwest section of the mound offers valuable information on burial practices of the period.
In conclusion, the findings at Sirkeli Höyük reflect not only a settlement structure but also an archaeological stratigraphy that documents the production, religious practices, defense systems, and daily life across different historical periods. This diversity highlights the multifaceted identity of the mound throughout its historical development.
