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A 3,500-year-old Hittite bronze figurine, believed to be the smallest known depiction of Tarhunza, the Storm God of Heaven, has gone on public display for the first time after being discovered by a local resident and handed over to the Bogazkoy Museum.
The figurine, dated to the 15th–14th centuries B.C. during the Hittite Kingdom period, was unearthed by chance in a village in Corum’s Alaca district and later delivered to museum authorities. After undergoing conservation and documentation, it has now been introduced to visitors as part of Tourism Week events.
Standing at just 7.65 centimeters, the piece stands out as the smallest known example among Hittite bronze figurines. It was produced using arsenical copper casting, a technique widely associated with early Anatolian metallurgy, and reflects the advanced craftsmanship of the Hittites.
What sets the object apart is its use of a “riveted limb technique,” developed by the Hittites. Structural details such as mortise slots and pinholes on the shoulders and skirt indicate that the arms and legs were attached separately to the body.
This complex production method, combined with its unusually small size, places the figurine among the most distinctive examples of Hittite bronze art known to date.
Within the Hittite belief system, often referred to as the “Thousand Gods of Hatti,” the Storm God held a central role as the “King of the Gods,” associated with rain, fertility and the power of the sky.
Known by different names across Anatolian cultures, including Taru, Tarhunza, Tesup and Tarhuna, the deity was typically depicted in human or bull form. The newly displayed figurine is considered not only an artistic object but also a rare material trace of Hittite religious practices.
Officials emphasized that the artifact’s journey, from accidental discovery to museum exhibition, highlights public awareness in protecting cultural heritage. Authorities noted that the individual who found the piece handed it over responsibly, allowing it to be preserved and studied.
The unveiling ceremony, attended by local officials and museum representatives, marked the figurine’s first public appearance. Museum director Resul Ibis indicated that the object had previously been introduced to the academic community through exhibitions and symposiums before being formally presented to visitors.
Local authorities also linked the exhibition to broader efforts to boost tourism in the region. Events organized during Tourism Week included interactive activities such as cuneiform writing experiences and educational workshops aimed at children, alongside the figurine’s debut.
Officials expressed expectations that the artifact will draw both domestic and international visitors to the museum and the wider Bogazkoy area, once the heart of the Hittite Empire.
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