Hittite Presence in the Levant: Ancient Artifacts from a Northern Empire

The Late Bronze Age saw the rise of the Hittites, who came from the highlands of central Anatolia, which is modern-day Turkey. The Hittites lived between 1600 and 1200 BCE and were predominantly settled in Syria and the northern sections of Canaan. The Hittites were a powerful player in the struggle for power in the region, competing against the Egyptians and the Assyrians. Their presence in the Levant is recorded in written histories, as well as in a wide range of ancient artifacts. Some of the Hittite ancient artifacts include clay tablets, carved administrative seals, and chariots used for warfare. It is essential to examine these artifacts to gain a better understanding of their culture, the way they interacted with other kingdoms, and their role in the Levant.

Ancient Seals

The Hittites had a variety of seals that served various purposes. Ancient Hittite seals were often used as markers of authority, as a show of ownership, and as administrative tools. They also served as functional tools. These seals were mainly of two types: cylinder seals and stamp seals (The Met, 2002). These seals were made of steatite, chlorite, or hematite due to their ability to hold fine details. Ancient cylinder seals would be rolled on wet clay to leave an impression.

On the other hand, stamp seals were more common, as they were directly pressed on clay surfaces. The seals would have royal symbols, hieroglyphic inscriptions, deities, and mythical creatures. A common seal showcased two lions flanking a royal figure, which was a sign of royalty.

 Fig. 1: A Hittite Seal

Chariots: Warfare and Political Influence

The Hittites’ chariots were not only for military use but also as a show of power and influence. They were used as ceremonial means of transport for kings and royalty. Military chariots were built to carry the driver, a shield-bearer, and an archer. The chariots’ wheel rings and bronze linchpins featured lions or winged creatures, symbols of royal authority. Unlike the two-man chariots used by the Egyptians, the Hittite chariots were heavier and more challenging to maneuver. However, this heavier nature of the Hittite chariots allowed them to maximize firepower and defensive strength. The Battle of Kadesh between the Egyptians and the Hittites was an example of the Hittites' prowess and military tactics, as they emerged victorious (McShane, 2022).

Fig. 2: Three-man Hittite Chariots

Written Tablets

Clay tablets excavated in Ugarit, Alalakh, and Carchemish shed light on the Hittite way of life. The clay tablets were written in the diplomatic language of the region: Akkadian (Raddato, 2019). The tablets included treaties, legal texts, correspondence, financial records, and religious rituals. A tablet discovered in Ugarit provides a record of treaty agreements between King Šuppiluliuma I of the Hittites and Niqmaddu II, the Ugaritic leader, in which Niqmaddu II agreed to give the Hittites military support in exchange for protection. The tablets also provide an account of the goods sent to the royal court.

Fig. 3: A Clay Treaty

Diplomatic Role in the Region

The Hittites were influential in the Levant, mainly because they had a complex diplomatic correspondence. The system was written in ancient clay tablets, providing details of the political relationships between the Hittite kings and those in the neighboring regions, including rulers in Egypt, Assyria, Syria, Canaan, and Babylonia. The Amarna Letters that were discovered in Egypt gave an account of the military campaigns and negotiations between the Hittite rulers and those of other regions.

Conclusion

The Hittites were an influential people who lived in the Late Bronze Age. Ancient artifacts discovered in Ugarit, Alalakh, Carchemish, among other regions, have given us a deeper understanding of the Hittites. Cylindrical and stamped seals, three-man chariots, and intricate clay tablets written in cuneiform paint a picture of the Hittites’ culture, and political, economic, and social interactions among themselves as well as with their neighbors. These ancient artifacts help us understand the Hittites’ warfare strategies, their take on diplomacy, and economic interactions with other powers within the region. Despite the fact that the Hittites lived such a long time ago, their history and influence are still in archaeological records today.

References

McShane, R. B. (2022). Battle of Kadesh | EBSCO. EBSCO Information Services, Inc. | www.ebsco.com. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/military-history-and-science/battle-kadesh

The Met. (2002, October 1). Timeline of Art History: The Hittites. https://www.metmuseum.org/essays/the-hittites. https://www.metmuseum.org/essays/the-hittites

Raddato, C. (2019, April 11). Five key historical sites of the hittites. World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1359/five-key-historical-sites-of-the-hittites/