27 cuneiform tablets providing information about Nerik, the sacred city dedicated to the Hittites’ chief god Tešup, have been discovered at Oymaağaç Mound.
Oymaağaç Mound is located in the Vezirköprü district of Samsun today.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ali Yılmaz, a faculty member in the Department of Archaeology at Ondokuz Mayıs University and the Deputy Head of the Oymaağaç Excavation, stated, ‘This area is known as the sacred city of the Hittites, Nerik. The earliest settlement dates back to the Chalcolithic period. We are talking about a settlement that goes back approximately 6,000 years. It experienced a flourishing period during the Early Bronze and Late Bronze Ages. The settlement continued into the Iron Age, and in its final phase, it ended as a cemetery during the Roman Period.’
“Stating that the excavations are continuing in the wide plain located to the northwest of the mound, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ali Yılmaz said, ‘Here, we can talk about wooden architecture. We are excavating an area that features structures built in the known architectural style of the region, known as the “çantı technique” (houses made by stacking tree trunks in forested areas). Each year, we reach significant findings in the excavations. Many artifacts supporting the Nerik defense have continued to emerge this year as well. Our most important findings may be the cuneiform documents. In this year’s work, we have findings related to these. They will be prepared for publication in detail and reported to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Among the significant findings, uncovering a previously unknown period and understanding the Iron Age is also very important. Settlements continued in this region throughout all periods of the Iron Age, including the Middle Iron Age and Late Iron Age. We have even identified four different phases on a plankale so far.’
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ali Yılmaz provided the following information regarding the tablets they have obtained:
‘The number of cuneiform tablets we have found so far has reached 27. Many of these cuneiform tablets can be seen on display today at the Samsun Museum. The name Nerik appears on these cuneiform tablets. There are many descriptors that define the characteristics of Nerik and the geographical features surrounding it. Additionally, there is Dahanga, which is part of the temple dedicated to the weather god. The name Dahanga is very important. We read Dahanga on many cuneiform tablets. This year, the tablet we found also features Dahanga. This is significant data and one of the important pieces of evidence supporting the Nerik defense.'”
