34 Forgotten Ancient Ruins That Deserve More Attention

2. The Majestic Silence of Hattusa: Cradle of the Hittite Empire

Perched atop the rugged hills of central Turkey, the ancient city of Hattusa once served as the capital of the Hittite Empire. This UNESCO World Heritage site, often overshadowed by the more famous ruins of Troy, offers a fascinating glimpse into one of the great powers of the ancient Near East. The monumental gateways, adorned with stone reliefs of lions and warriors, speak of a civilization skilled in both diplomacy and warfare. The city’s layout, with its royal citadel, temples, and residential areas, reveals a highly organized society that thrived between the 17th and 11th centuries BCE. Excavations have unearthed thousands of clay tablets, shedding light on the Hittite language and their interactions with neighboring empires. Hattusa's legacy endures in the form of its advanced legal systems and treaties, which influenced subsequent cultures in the region.