A Hittite goddess figurine from the eighth century can be found in the Levent Valley, which was created by a geological formation that dates back 65 million years, B.C.
In the 28-kilometer valley located in Malatya’s Akçadağ district, there are ruins from the Neolithic age as well as traces of the Hittite civilization that lived in the region. The rock relief believed to depict the Sun Goddess of Arinna, the chief goddess of the Hittites, is one of these traces.
The valley has extraordinary cultural importance due to its geological features as well as hosting different civilizations throughout history.
Inönü University Faculty of Fine Arts and Design Lecturer Levent İskenderoğlu stated that as much as the valley stands out with its geological features, it also shows extraordinary features with its cultural reserves and that its importance has increased because it has hosted many civilizations, and said, “The rock relief we are in front of is from B.C. It is a goddess figure from the Hittite period, dating back to the 8th century. This is also a registered protected area. When you examine the figure closely, you can see that she is depicted with her flat skullcap, ringlet hair, thin long beardless face, arched nose and bulging eyes. This is the sun goddess, the chief goddess of the Hittite Kingdom. “It makes me think it’s a representation,” he said.
Sharing his views on the Hittite goddess figurine, Levent İskenderoğlu said: ‘The natural pigments on the figurine have worn away over time and erosion in its details has emerged. It is not difficult to guess that this approximately 2,800-year-old figurine was once quite detailed and colorful. We can easily say that the people living in Levent Valley hosted an advanced civilization in art with their unique understanding of form and color even 2,800 years ago. Civilizations that have existed throughout history have left traces of their beliefs through art. “This Sun Goddess figurine is one of the rare examples in Anatolia.”
