Daily Life At Kültepe Ancient Kanesh(Original Title)
Editors:
Prof. Dr. Fikri KULAKOĞLU
(Ankara University,Türkiye)
Cecile MICHEL
(Hamburg University, German-Centre National de la Reacherche Scientifique, France)
ISBN: 978-625-8550-09-2
Publication Date: 29.12.2025
Language: English
Publisher: Engin DEVREZ
Keywords:
#Bronze Age
#Kültepe
#UNSECO
#Kayseri
#Tablets
Abstract
Kültepe, the ancient city of Kanesh near Kayseri, is Turkey’s most important Bronze Age site and holds a unique place in Near Eastern and Middle Eastern archaeology. Its 22,700 cuneiform tablets, mainly dating to the nineteenth century BC, are recorded in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register and represent the first large group of private archives in human history. Thanks to these texts, as well as the rich archaeological discoveries made at Kültepe over the past 75 years, the authors of this book provide a vivid reconstruction of the daily lives of its inhabitants four thousand years ago.
Contents
Introduction
Acknowledgements
Map of Ancient Anatolia and the Assyrian Trade Roads
Chapter 1. The Archaeology and History of Kültepe
The History of its Discovery and the First Excavations
The Archaeology of Kültepe during Early and Middle Bronze Age
Kültepe in the Late Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age(3300-2050 BC)
Kültepe during the Karum Period.
History of the Old Assyrian Period from 2000 to 1700 BC
Demography
Population Geography
The Population of Kanesh
Paleodemography
Kültepe after the Karum Period
Kültepe during the Late Bronze Age
Kültepe and its Surrounding Areas in the Iron Age
The Assyrians in Anatolia after the Karum Period
Kültepe during the Hellenistic and Roman Periods
Chapter 2. Agriculture and Herding
Environment, Landscape and Resources
Agriculture and Taxes
Animal Husbandry
Eating and Drinking
Chapter 3. Writing, Sealing and Measuring
The Assyrian Merchants’ Archives
Sealing Practices
The Language of the Old Assyrian Merchants.
Numbers and Metrology
Calendars
Old Assyrian Calendar
Old Anatolian Calendar
Literacy and Education
Palaeography
Chapter 4. Trade and Economy
Exchanges and the Trade System
The Purchase of Merchandise in Assur and the Caravans toKanesh
The Sale of Merchandise in Anatolia
Treaties and International Law
Geography of Trade
The Assyrian Firms and Partnerships
Transportation
Smuggling and the Narrow Track
Chapter 5. Crafts and Arts
Metallurgy
Mines and Metals
The Silversmith’s House
Smiths in the Texts
Metals
Jewellery
Archaeological Discoveries
Jewellery in Texts and Assur Graves
Seal Artistic Styles and Owners
Textiles
The Ceramic Assemblage
Chapter 6. Society
Family and the Role of Women
Marriage
Bigamy
Divorce
Maternity and Children
Widowhood and Inheritance
Cohabitation with In-laws
Family Stories
Shalim-Assur and his Two Sons.
Elamma, Son of Iddin-Suen, and his Family
Peruwa, a Wealthy Anatolian
Kunnania, an Anatolian Woman Married to an Assyrian Merchant
Titles, Jobs and Slaves
Urbanisation and Architecture
Workshops
Storage Rooms, Shelves
Benches
Stairs
Windows
Heating and Cooking
Water Requirements and Usage
The House and its Furniture
Chapter 7. Religions
Gods, Temples and Festivals
Gods and Name Giving
Festivals
Chapels, Temples and their Furniture
Gods and the Fate of People
Consecrated Women
God Representations
Burials
Inhumation
Burial in Pithos
Burial in Stone Cist Graves
Death and Rituals
Religious Drinking Vessels
Conclusion
Appendices
General Bibliography
Indexes
Ancient Geographical Names
People and Languages
Personal Names
Gods
Months Names
Akkadian and Sumerian Words
Glossary for Ceramics.
List of Images
List of Cited Texts
The Authors and their Contributions