Eflatun Pinar: The Hittite Spring Sanctuary2
Eflatun Pınar.....bears unique testimony to a major cult monument of the Hittite Empire. The Hittites secured the political unity in Anatolia, existed in these lands roughly between 1620 BC and 1200 BC and acquired a very different and significant place in the Anatolian history. The Hittites built their temples nearby sources of water as they thought water was elixir of life. The spring sanctuary of Eflatun Pınar has a great importance within the water cult having a significant role in the Hititte religion. Integration of water in the architectural and religious concept is a unique feature of the site. As the Hittites had a theocratic understanding of religion they often established their cities and erected their temples nearby the sources of water which is elixir of life. These sources of water and rivers were sanctified and good deal of importance that attached to the cult of water by performing a lot of rituals. In lots of places of the Hittite Empire territory, foremost Hattusa, basins, dams, weirs, especially rock monuments were built nearby water were unearthed. For usually Hittite spring sanctuaries had been carved everywhere in Anatolia in the natural rock, but in this case obviously Eflatun Pınar was erected artificially in order to be able to mount the relief. Thousands tons of stones had to be transported from an andesite quarry about five kilometres away from the construction site that is an impressive logistical achievement. No inscriptions were found at the site, but based on its proximity to Yalburt and Köylütolu Monuments this monument may be dated to the 2nd half of 13th century BC. A Hittite cult basin is also preserved in Yalburt, a place that is only 60 kilometres away from Eflatun Pınar. Yet the water structural arrangements of this monument are very simple and cannot be compared to those in Eflatun Pınar. In one point, the two structures are nevertheless similar the basin of Yalburt is erected of large ashlars, that are stacked up in several courses. There is no relief existed on the monument of Yalburt and as a result of its drain spring, it has lost its original function currently.
Eflatun Pinar: The Hittite Spring Sanctuary2
Eflatun Pınar.....bears unique testimony to a major cult monument of the Hittite Empire. The Hittites secured the political unity in Anatolia, existed in these lands roughly between 1620 BC and 1200 BC and acquired a very different and significant place in the Anatolian history. The Hittites built their temples nearby sources of water as they thought water was elixir of life. The spring sanctuary of Eflatun Pınar has a great importance within the water cult having a significant role in the Hititte religion. Integration of water in the architectural and religious concept is a unique feature of the site. As the Hittites had a theocratic understanding of religion they often established their cities and erected their temples nearby the sources of water which is elixir of life. These sources of water and rivers were sanctified and good deal of importance that attached to the cult of water by performing a lot of rituals. In lots of places of the Hittite Empire territory, foremost Hattusa, basins, dams, weirs, especially rock monuments were built nearby water were unearthed. For usually Hittite spring sanctuaries had been carved everywhere in Anatolia in the natural rock, but in this case obviously Eflatun Pınar was erected artificially in order to be able to mount the relief. Thousands tons of stones had to be transported from an andesite quarry about five kilometres away from the construction site that is an impressive logistical achievement. No inscriptions were found at the site, but based on its proximity to Yalburt and Köylütolu Monuments this monument may be dated to the 2nd half of 13th century BC. A Hittite cult basin is also preserved in Yalburt, a place that is only 60 kilometres away from Eflatun Pınar. Yet the water structural arrangements of this monument are very simple and cannot be compared to those in Eflatun Pınar. In one point, the two structures are nevertheless similar the basin of Yalburt is erected of large ashlars, that are stacked up in several courses. There is no relief existed on the monument of Yalburt and as a result of its drain spring, it has lost its original function currently.