Karkamis Ancient City

Karkamis Ancient City

Karkamesh, also known as Karkamis, is a significant archaeological site in the Near East. The major part of the ancient city lies on the Turkish-Syrian border, west of the Euphrates River. However, several outer city parts are situated within present-day Syria.

The Kingdom of Ebla's archive first recorded the city of Karkamesh in the 24th century BC. Additionally, administrative documents and letters found in the city of Mari dating back to 2000 BC, belonging to three different kings and their reigns, offer further information on the history of Karkamesh.

Karkamis Ancient City

Although Karkamesh thrived under the Hittite Empire, it was ultimately destroyed by the Assyrian King Sargon II in 717 BC. As an independent kingdom, it flourished during the Hellenistic and Roman eras until its eventual disappearance from history.

Karkamesh features two primary settlements from the Early and Late Hittite periods. The city's core is circular or rectangular and comprises three sections: an external perimeter, an internal area, and a castle. These structures, serving as administrative centers and religious sites, predominantly date back to the Late Hittite period.

Embossments found at these structures, depicting Goddess Kubaba, soldiers, priests, people carrying various animals, and princes with long and straight swords, offer insights into the lifestyle of the people living in Karkamesh at the beginning of the 1st Millennium BC.

Karkamesh has been mentioned in various ancient texts, including the Bible.