Kuşaklı (Sarissa)

Kuşaklı is the modern name of the Hittite sacred city of Sarissa. Sarissa was a significant religious center in the Hittite Empire, located northeast of the Hittite capital Hattusa (near modern Boğazkale, Turkey), in modern-day Turkey. The site is notable for the substantial number of cuneiform tablets discovered there, providing valuable insights into Hittite religion, rituals, and administration. The city appears to have flourished primarily during the Hittite Old Kingdom and Middle Kingdom periods. Archaeological excavations at Kuşaklı have revealed temples, administrative buildings, and residential areas, providing a glimpse into the urban planning and daily life of the Hittites. Sarissa is believed to have been dedicated to various deities, but especially important was the storm god, associated with the nearby mountains. The city's strategic location and religious importance made it a vital component of the Hittite political and religious landscape.