World’s first adobe palace comes to light in eastern Turkey

MALATYA – Cihan

The Aslantepe tumulus was home to the first adobe palace in 5,000s.

Excavations will start soon in the Aslantepe tumulus, one of the latest 13 places in Turkey that have been included in UNESCO’s world heritage temporary list. Dating back to the 5,000s B.C., the ancient site in the central Anatolian province of Malatya is home to the world’s first adobe palace, which was unearthed in previous years. This year, the goal is to unearth the palace completely.

The head of Aslantepe excavations and Italian La Spienze University member Professor Marcella Frangipane visited Malatya Governor Vasip Şahin, and said work would start Aug. 15.

She said they would focus on the palace, which dates back to 3,300 B.C., adding, “There were temples in Mesopotamia, but not palaces, which appeared later. This palace in Aslantepe is the first one. The open air museum will be larger at the end of our work. We unearthed a big hall in the palace last year. A large cultural area will come to light for tourists and it will be an attractive place for tourism.”

Şahin and Frangipane have exchanged views about Aslantepe’s possible contributions. “Marcela Frangipane has conducted research to shed light on the history of Malatya for many years. Aslantepe is a shared value in world cultural heritage,” the governor said.

The National Academy of Sciences, one of the most prestigious institutes of the scientific world has presented Frangipane with an honorary award due to her work in Aslantepe. Frangipane went to the U.S. to receive the award and also gave a conference on the tumulus there.