About
Kültepe Archaeological Site: The First Trade Center of Anatolia 🏛️
📍 Location: 5 km northeast of Kayseri
🏺 Highlights: Kaniş Karum, ancient trade, cuneiform tablets, Assyrian merchants
Kültepe: Anatolia’s First International Trade Hub
🌍 Kültepe Archaeological Site, located just 5 km from Kayseri, is one of the most significant historical centers of Anatolia. Founded by Assyrian merchants, Kaniş Karum is known as the first international trade center in Anatolia. This trade system, which began in 2000 BCE, established one of the oldest commercial routes between Mesopotamia and Anatolia.
📜 Kültepe is also home to the oldest known written documents in Anatolia. Excavations have revealed cuneiform tablets written by Assyrian traders, proving that this region was the first to be introduced to writing in Anatolia. These tablets provide valuable insights into daily life, including trade agreements, debt records, and marriage contracts.
Kültepe Archaeological Site and Kaniş Karum
The ancient city of Kültepe consists of two main sections:
📍 Upper City (Höyük Region): This area was home to the princes of Kaniş and the local Anatolian population. It served as the administrative center, where excavations have uncovered royal palaces and temples.
📍 Lower City (Karum Region): This was the district where Assyrian merchants lived and conducted trade. Karum