A skeleton dated to the Hittite period marks this seasons’ second important discovery at the ancient ruins of the Hittite city at Alacahöyük in Anatolian province of Çorum, Turkey. The skeleton marks the first Hittite-era individual discovered in the region.

Human occupation lasted at the site since Neolithic but the most important structures come from the Bronze Age, when the Hatti and Hittite Kingdoms emerged in Anatolia. It is a place where earliest examples of copper and stone tools were found. The Alacahöyük site also contains royal tombs dating to the 3rd century BC, with precious artefacts including jewellery, weapons, metal vessels and elaborate pieces of art.

The experts say that the discovery could break new ground in the study of the lives of ancient peoples. Earlier this month a secret tunnel, called a potern, was found near the temple complex at the site.

(after Daily Sabah)