This article is one in the Cultural History of Turkey series. For the description of any cultures or tribes please read that article.
The Hittites (the Nesilis), after migrating to Anatolia (Asia Minor), moved to the southeast and lived there for a long time. Ultimately though they moved to the central parts of Anatolia and settled there. Initially they lived side by side with the indigenous people, such as the Hattis and Hurrians. However, as the time passed the Hittites started dominating the Hattis and other people and became the rulers of the land. During this process, however, they acted carefully and most of the time, for political reasons, kept local names, and inherited culture and religion of the Hattis.
The Hatti-Hittite Art
During this period ceramic art made big progress in Anatolia. It is assumed that the ceramics with brown and lead color reflect more the art of indigenous people, whereas ceramics with colorful finish represent the art originated from the Assyrians. Among the unearthed were various figurines and the libation cups. Other commonly found artifacts were the stamps used by the Assyrians in trade letters and contracts.
Multi-room houses had walls that were made of mud-brick with stone foundations. They had stoves, furnaces, and containers to store supplies. Oil-lamps were used to illuminate the rooms. Streets were paved with stones and channels were built on the sides of the streets to drain storm water.
Sources
- Akurgal, Ekrem, “Anadolu Kültür Tarihi,” TÜBİTAK Popüler Bilim Kitaplari, April 2008, ISBN 978-975-403-107-2.
- Bryce, Trevor, “The Kingdom of the Hittites,” Oxford University Press, Inc. New York, 1998, p 11-14.
- Burney, Charles, “Historical Dictionary of the Hittites,” The Scarecrow Press, 2004 p.105-106
This article is one in the Cultural History of Turkey series. For the description of any cultures or tribes please read that article.