8 August 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

The circular-shaped structure unearthed in Uşaklı mound may point to the holy Hittite city of Zippalanda

Italian-Turkish team of archaeologists led by the University of Pisa unearthed a mysterious circle-shaped structure from the Hittite era at Uşaklı Höyük (Uşaklı Mound), a Hittite settlement in central Turkey.

The find, along with other finds from previous excavation seasons, could help confirm that the site was indeed the ancient sacred city of Zippalanda.

Previous excavations have brought to light important public buildings of the Hittite era, systems of terracing and fortifications dating to the Iron Age, and levels which can be dated to the “late” periods. Six fragments of cuneiform tablets of the Hittite period, a stamp seal impression, and the nature of the public building suggest that the site, already occupied from the end of the 3rd millennium, during the Middle Bronze and Paleo-Hittite phases (18th-16th centuries B.C.).

During this season’s excavations, the team discovered a circle-shaped structure from the Hittite era north of what is most likely the city’s main temple. The construction’s function and purpose are unknown, but Professor Anacleto D’Agostino of the University of Pisa believes it served a ritualistic purpose.

Photo: University of Pisa

“The structure, together with the other finds discovered over the years, would help to strengthen the identification of Uşaklı with the important Hittite city of Zippalanda, the cult centre of a powerful Storm God, a royal residence, and mentioned in several festivals in which the king took part”, said Professor Anacleto D’Agostino.

One of the ancient Hattic cult centers dedicated to a Hittite weather god, Zippalanda, is described in tablets discovered at Hattusa (the Hittite capital). The tablets describe Zippalanda’s city life, including its festivals and rituals, and they make mention of a temple dedicated to the storm god Ziplantil, Waezzili, Waezzil, or Waezzau.

The Weather god of Zippalanda, originally Hattic, was an important deity for the Hittites. At Zippalanda, he was considered to be the son of Tarḫunna, the ‘Weather god of Heaven’, and the Sun goddess of the Earth.

Photo: University of Pisa

The important finding took place during the 2022 excavation season of the international archaeological mission led by the University of Pisa. Excavations this season have also unearthed the remains of a large terraced wall surrounding the Iron Age fortress and some tombs from late antiquity.

The aim of the research project is to reconstruct the history of this Anatolian town from the initial phase of urbanization to its transformation during the period of formation of major statues during the Bronze and Iron Ages.

One of the most important discoveries of 2021 was made in Uşaklı Mound, which is located within the borders of Büyük Taşlık Village of Sorgun District of Yozgat. Archaeologists have discovered a 3,500-year-old mosaic in Uşaklı Mound that might be one of the world’s oldest.

University of Pisa

Excavation report for more information.

Cover photo: Aerial view of Uşaklı Höyük excavations. At the bottom center, the circular structure found during the 2022 excavation campaign is visible. Photo : Emanuele Taccola

Related Articles

Rare Hittite bracelet, 3300 years old, found by a farmer

28 March 2022

28 March 2022

A farmer in Turkey’s Çorum province discovered a rare 3,300-year-old ancient bracelet from the Hittite era while plowing his farm....

Assyrian Art at Getty Villa

22 June 2021

22 June 2021

The Getty Villa in Malibu, California’s arts complex is showcasing superbly-restored gypsum reliefs from the Assyrian Empire’s palaces for its...

Sorcery in Australian Cloggs Cave may be World’s Oldest Known Culturally Transmitted Ritual

1 July 2024

1 July 2024

Two sticks found in a cave in Australia show signs of processing that perfectly match Aboriginal sorcery and curse-making practices...

Exciting discoveries at Accana Mound: 3,250-year-old seal belonging to Hittite prince and Akkadian cuneiform texts discovered

19 November 2021

19 November 2021

A 3250-year-old seal of the Hittite prince and a 3400-year-old cuneiform tablet was found in Accana Höyük (Mound) in the...

1600-Year-Old Rare Roman Glass Diatreta with Gladiator Scene Unearthed in Doclea, Montenegro

13 June 2025

13 June 2025

An extraordinary archaeological discovery has been made in the ancient Roman city of Doclea, located near Podgorica, Montenegro. During recent...

Over 4 feet long sword found in a medieval grave in Sweden

29 December 2023

29 December 2023

An unusual and exciting discovery was made during archaeological research at Lilla Torg in the port city of Halmstad on...

Evil-Wisher Well: Ancient curse tablets 2,500-year-old found in a well in Athens

14 July 2022

14 July 2022

30 ancient curse tablets were found at the bottom of a 2500-year-old well in ancient Athens. In 2020, Archaeologists from...

Archaeologists Find Rare Ancient African Figurines in Christian Graves in Negev Desert

2 June 2025

2 June 2025

Researchers have uncovered five miniature figurines, including intricately carved African heads, in 1,500-year-old graves in Israel’s Negev Desert. These rare...

Bronze age settlement found under in Swiss lake

23 April 2021

23 April 2021

For the first time, archaeologists discovered traces of a Bronze Age lakeside village beneath the surface of Lake Lucerne. The...

Ancient Rituals and ‘Devil’s Money’: Elite Pagans’ Medieval Cult Site Unearthed at Hezingen

15 February 2025

15 February 2025

Researchers in the eastern Netherlands have uncovered a medieval cult site featuring structural remains and a hoard of gold and...

Ancient Arabic temple art depicts early camel hybrids

29 January 2022

29 January 2022

Evidence of early camel hybrids of dromedary and Bactrian camels has been uncovered by archaeologists who were working to restore...

Lost sketches by Leonardo Da Vinci show that he understood gravity long before Newton

19 February 2023

19 February 2023

Leonardo da Vinci’s centuries-old sketches show that he may have understood key aspects of gravity long before Galileo, Newton, and...

Archaeologists Uncover Asini’s Hidden Ancient Port Beneath the Waves of Greece

11 March 2025

11 March 2025

An international team of underwater archaeologists has made a groundbreaking discovery at the submerged site of Asini, near Tolo in...

Knights-era painting found behind bricked-up arch at Museum of Archaeology in Malta

30 November 2021

30 November 2021

A newly found Knights-era painting hidden behind a bricked-up arch at the Museum of Archaeology might give insight into the...

The enigma behind King Tut’s’space dagger,’ according to archaeologists, has finally been solved

24 February 2022

24 February 2022

Archaeologists have finally solved the enigma of King Tutankhamun’s dagger, which was discovered 3,400 years ago. A new examination of...