09.03.2025 11:20
During the excavation work carried out in 1995 at the Şapinova Archaeological Site located in the Ortaköy district of Çorum, a 3,500-year-old Hittite linen fabric was discovered. This Hittite linen, which is rarely found in archaeological excavations in Turkey and is considered priceless, was studied at the Middle East Technical University and Ankara University at that time, and it has been preserved in the storage of the Çorum Museum.
```html
In 1995, a 3,500-year-old Hittite linen fabric fragment discovered during excavation works in Çorum was presented to the public for the first time. The excavation works conducted in 1995 under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Mustafa Süel and Prof. Dr. Aygül Süel at the Şapinova Archaeological Site in the Ortaköy district of Çorum led to the discovery of the 3,500-year-old Hittite linen. This invaluable piece of Hittite linen, which is one of the rare examples that can be salvaged from archaeological excavations in Turkey, was studied at the Middle East Technical University and Ankara University at that time. Proven to be a fabric piece made of linen from the 14th century BC, the Hittite linen fabric is now preserved in the storage of the Çorum Museum.
FIRST TIME PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC
The 3x3 cm fabric piece, which is attached to a pottery shard measuring approximately 24x20 cm, was presented to the public for the first time. The fabric piece, displayed at the promotional launch program of the Hittite linen fabric to be produced by the Çorum Businesswomen's Association (İŞKAD) at the Çorum Museum, was captured by the İhlas News Agency.
"PRESENTED TO US FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS EVENING"
Çorum Governor Ali Çalgan emphasized the importance of the Hittite fabric, which has been carefully preserved for 30 years, stating, "We witnessed a very beautiful launch at our Çorum Museum. It is a very important artifact found within the borders of our province in 1995. It was presented to us for the first time this evening. This is a 3,500-year-old artifact, a piece of linen. We learned from our esteemed professor that this is a very valuable historical document. I thank him. In fact, we also remember the excavation head, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Süel, with respect. This is an artifact found during an excavation he led, and he was part of that team. It has been subjected to scientific research at universities, and it has been revealed to be 3,500 years old. The message it conveys about the promotion of our province, our country, and the civilization that lived here 3,500 years ago, which was capable of producing such artifacts, is very valuable. Hopefully, this will be the subject of scientific studies and cultural activities that many visitors will observe," he said.
"WE WERE VERY HAPPY TO HOLD THE LAUNCH HERE TODAY"
Prof. Dr. Aygül Süel, the excavation head of the period who contributed the 3,500-year-old Hittite linen fabric to future generations through their archaeological excavations, stated, "This is a very important find of a 3x3 cm piece of linen that was woven and used approximately 4,000 years ago. It is a find that was discovered by chance. It was preserved without air and was made accessible to us. Especially, we achieved this through the meticulous efforts of Mustafa Hoca, the team, and all of us, and we were very happy to hold the launch here today. Thank you very much," she said.
```