Archaeologists in Turkey have discovered a 3,300-year-old tablet bearing a sinister warning: 'Whoever breaks this will die.' The artefact was found at the Büklükale ruins near the Kizilirmak River, about 60 miles from Ankara, according to Anatolian Archaeology.
The tablet, a terracotta seal, is believed to have been used by a Hittite king or queen to authenticate contracts. The inscription serves as a stark threat against breaking the agreement. Experts note that while Hittite law permitted corporal punishment, fines were more common, making this tablet particularly unusual.
Lead archaeologist Kimiyoshi Matsumura of the Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology said the seal was discovered during 2023 excavations. 'On the seal, the Great King Tabarna or Tavananna writes 'Whoever breaks this will die',' he explained. The seal indicates close ties between Büklükale and the Hittite capital Hattusa.
In addition to the seal, Matsumura's team found a tablet referencing a civil war, along with Hurrian tablets suggesting religious ceremonies were held at the site. The findings point to Büklükale being an important city, possibly a royal residence, during the Hittite Empire.
