New fragment of world’s oldest peace treaty found in Türkiye

A new cuneiform clay tablet fragment belonging to one of the copies of the Treaty of Kadesh has been found during archaeological excavations in Hattusha, the ancient capital of the Hittite Empire in central Türkiye.

Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy made the official announcement.

According to the information, the find was unearthed during excavations in the Büyükkale area of the ancient city. After nearly a year of scientific research, experts confirmed that the fragment belonged to the historic Treaty of Kadesh, concluded between Hittite King Hattusili III and Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II. The fragment contains Articles 12–20 of the treaty, covering the legal status of people who fled the countries and provisions aimed at preventing the destruction of property and homes.

Dating to the 13th century BC, the Treaty of Kadesh is considered the oldest known written peace agreement in human history. Archaeological excavations continue at Hattusha, located in the Boğazkale district of Çorum province and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. Researchers say the new fragment could make an important contribution to reconstructing incomplete sections of the treaty.