Korea–Türkiye Launch First Joint Archaeological Excavation at the Kültepe Site

 - The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage

Embarks on Uncovering the Origins of Ancient Urban Development

The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (Director General Lim Jong-deock;hereafter, NRICH) under the Korea Heritage Service (hereafter, KHS) will conduct an excavation at the Kültepe–Kaneš site near Kayseri, Türkiye, from August 20 to October 2, 2025, as part of the Korea–Türkiye joint research project in the field of cultural heritage. This marks the first official excavation, following the geophysical survey and 3D aerial mapping carried out in May this year.

The Kültepe site was a flourishing ancient city from around the 3rd millennium B.C. to the Roman period. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Kaneš (Nesha) prior to the Hittite Empire and is considered the birthplace of Hittite culture. The upper city contains the royal palace and temples, while the lower city serves as a commercial hub and residential area known as the Karum. In particular, more than 23,500 cuneiform clay tablets unearthed at the site have been inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. Although Kültepe was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2014, only about 3% of the site has been excavated to date.

This joint project will focus on trial trenches and excavations in the southern and eastern areas of the Waršama Sarayı (Waršama Palace), the central palace of the upper city. These areas, which are connected to the palace core, are considered strategically significant and are expected to yield well-preserved archaeological remains and artifacts. Major finds will be digitally recorded and preserved through high-precision 3D scanning.

The KHS signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye in April 2024, laying the foundation for joint research. The excavation will be carried out in cooperation with the NRICH and Ankara University. In addition, the NRICH will strengthen its international academic network by collaborating with leading research teams participating in the Kültepe–Kaneš project, including Harvard University also Yale University, the University of Milan, and Okayama University.

By participating in the joint research on the Kültepe–Kaneš site—an archaeological landmark of great importance in world history and the study of ancient urban development—the NRICH aims to strengthen Korea’s position as a global cultural leader, contribute to the research and preservation of World Heritage, and promote the global dissemination of Korean archaeological expertise.


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