"Sun Disks" of Alacahoyuk
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Iron Dagger
Pitcher

This gold pitcher was found in a tomb at Mahmatlar, approximately 60 miles east of Alacahoyuk. It is decorated with lozenges and swastikas. Similar vessels were found at Alacahoyuk.

 
Caucasus : Mahmatlar
Golden Pitcher
Period: Early Bronze III
Era: Hatti / Early Hittite
AL Chronology: 2500—2200 BC (era)
Middle Chronology: 2600—2300 BC (era)
Civilization: Hattian

Among the wealth of grave goods recovered from the royal tombs at Alacahoyuk were small golden pitchers paired with a long-stemmed goblet. The gold vessels are reminiscent of those discovered in the Royal Cemetery of Ur, although the forms are quite different. At Alacahoyuk, the vessel of choice for pouring was a pitcher instead of a trough-spouted bowl; and for drinking, a long-stemmed goblet instead of a conical cup.

Left: Gold vessels from Grave K at Alacahoyuk.
Right: Gold vessels from the Tomb of Puabi at Ur. The vessels are comparable although the ones from Ur look to be of superior craftsmanship.

 
Golden Goblet and Pitcher

Golden vessels from Tomb BM at Alacahoyuk decorated with bands of incised angular lines.

 
[Review Quiz]

M., Tadmor, et al . “The Nahal Mishmar hoard from the Judean Desert: Technology, composition, and provenance.” Atiqot, no. 27 (1995): 95-148. Link

Last modified: August 31, 2025