Sirkeli Höyük is an important ancient settlement located within the borders of modern Turkey's Adana province, on the banks of the Ceyhan River, which witnessed continuous habitation over a long period, from the Neolithic to the Roman Period. Its location in the fertile lands of Çukurova (ancient Cilicia Pedias) and at the crossroads of strategic trade routes enabled the city to play a key role in regional and international relations throughout history. It is particularly noteworthy for its significance during the Hittite Empire period and its surviving rock reliefs.

History

The history of Sirkeli Höyük extends back to approximately the 7th millennium BCE, the Neolithic Period. From these early periods, the mound was continuously inhabited throughout the Chalcolithic, Early Bronze, Middle Bronze, Late Bronze, and Iron Ages. Especially during the Bronze Age, as the region became one of the Hittite Empire's important centers in Cilicia (Kizzuwatna), Sirkeli Höyük also rose to a strategic position. The city played a critical role in protecting the Hittites' southern borders and controlling Mediterranean trade routes, functioning as a powerful administrative and military center during this period. Following the collapse of the Hittite Empire in the 13th century BCE, it came under the dominion of Luwian-speaking Late Hittite city-states during the Iron Age, witnessing the struggles for dominance between the Assyrian and Persian empires in the region. Although habitation continued during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the city's importance diminished compared to earlier eras, but it maintained its status as a regional center due to its location on the Ceyhan River.

Geographic Location

Sirkeli Höyük is situated in the heart of the Çukurova Plain (ancient Cilicia Pedias), on the west bank of the Ceyhan River, historically known as Pyramos, within the borders of the Yumurtalık district of modern Adana province. This strategic location not only provided the mound with access to fertile agricultural lands throughout history but also allowed it to control important land and water routes connecting Inner Anatolia to Syria and the Mediterranean. Its proximity to natural passes like the Cilician Gates (Gülek Pass) made the city a critical stop for trade and military movements coming from the north. Sirkeli Höyük also maintained geographical and cultural interaction with other important ancient cities such as Tarsus, Misis (Mopsuestia), and Adana. Thanks to its location on the river, irrigation possibilities, and ease of transportation, the area around the city was one of the most fertile and densely populated regions in antiquity.

Significance in Antiquity

The significance of Sirkeli Höyük in antiquity is directly related to its strategic geographical location and long history of settlement. Particularly during the Bronze Age, the city held significant political and economic weight as one of the most important centers of the Hittite Empire in the Cilicia (Kizzuwatna) region. Through its control over the Ceyhan River, it played a key role in both the trade of agricultural products and the use of waterways extending to the Mediterranean. Access to the region's rich mineral deposits and agricultural resources made Sirkeli Höyük an important production and distribution center. At the same time, it served as a military outpost in the defense of the Hittite Empire's southern borders and was a critical point in diplomatic and military relations with neighboring powers. During the Iron Age, it maintained its characteristic as a regional center during the period of the Late Hittite city-states, also influencing surrounding communities culturally and religiously.

Coinage

No coins from this settlement are recorded in the NumisTR database.

Archaeological Remains

Sirkeli Höyük is a large mound, approximately 25 meters high and 300 meters in diameter, offering a continuous stratigraphy from the Neolithic to the Roman Period through archaeological excavations. One of the most significant archaeological remains identified at the mound are two Hittite rock reliefs, dating to the Late Bronze Age, located on the slope facing the Ceyhan River. These reliefs depict a Hittite king or a high-ranking official, serving as tangible evidence of the Hittite presence and power in the region. Excavations have also unearthed architectural remains, pottery, seals, figurines, and various tools from different periods. Notably, the remains of fortifications and monumental structures from the Bronze Age provide information about the city's size and importance during that period. Archaeological findings indicate that Sirkeli Höyük is a unique resource for understanding the cultural and chronological development of the Cilicia region.

Today

Today, Sirkeli Höyük is located within the borders of the Yumurtalık district of Adana province, on the west bank of the Ceyhan River, at a point where the river bends. The mound is an active archaeological excavation site, with research regularly conducted by international teams. These studies continue to provide new information about the city's history and the region's place in antiquity. While Sirkeli Höyük is an important point of interest for archaeology enthusiasts and researchers, there are no special arrangements for public access. However, its surroundings and river view offer natural beauty.