Traces of the Lost Kingdom of Purušhanda: Three Ovens and Two Hearths Unearthed in Üçhöyük

Archaeologists working at Üçhöyük in Bolvadin, Afyonkarahisar (western Türkiye) have uncovered new evidence that may shed light on the long-sought lost kingdom of Purušhanda. This season’s excavations revealed three mudbrick-built ovens and two hearths, suggesting large-scale production activities dating back to the second millennium BC.

Excavations at Üçhöyük began in 2020 and have continued under a presidential decree since 2024, directed by Prof. Dr. Özdemir Koçak of Selçuk University. Supported by the Governorship of Afyonkarahisar, Selçuk University, Bolvadin Municipality, and local institutions, the project also includes the participation of Japanese scholars.

Prof. Koçak explained the significance of the finds:
“We identified workshop-like spaces with three ovens and two hearths. These were not for ordinary domestic use, but for organized production—possibly serving the palace or elite groups. Üçhöyük functioned as a kind of ‘cargo center,’ producing goods that were distributed across the region.”

Purušhanda: From Assyrian Trade to Hittite Domination

Purušhanda (also written Purushanda) appears in cuneiform sources as one of the most powerful Anatolian city-kingdoms of the Assyrian Trade Colonies Period (ca. 2000–1700 BC). Assyrian merchant tablets from Kültepe (ancient Kanesh) describe it as a leading hub controlling trade routes across central Anatolia. The Akkadian king Sargon of Akkad even claimed to have campaigned against its ruler, underscoring the city’s regional importance.

However, the rise of the Hittite kingdom in the 17th century BC brought many of these independent city-states under Hittite control. Purušhanda, once a dominant power in the Assyrian commercial network, eventually lost its independence and was integrated into the expanding Hittite realm. This makes Üçhöyük a unique site where the transition from local kingdoms to Hittite imperial rule may be archaeologically traced.

So far, the exact location of Purušhanda has remained uncertain. Yet discoveries at Üçhöyük—including seals, spindle whorls, copper and lead pins, figurines, storage jars, and now ovens and hearths—suggest it was a major production and trade center in the 1600s BC. These findings strengthen the possibility that Üçhöyük may indeed represent the capital of the lost kingdom.

Afyonkarahisar’s Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism, Yusuf Altın, emphasized:
“The finds provide strong indications that Üçhöyük could be the heart of the lost kingdom of Purušhanda. If future seasons yield written tablets or royal inscriptions, we may be able to confirm this with certainty.”

Future Plans

The excavation team plans to restore and preserve the mudbrick ovens and hearths, opening them to visitors in the coming years. If confirmed, Üçhöyük could not only solve one of Anatolia’s enduring archaeological mysteries but also emerge as a major heritage attraction.

Cover Photo: Archaeologists working at Üçhöyük carefully unearth new finds that may belong to the lost kingdom of Purušhanda. Credit: AA