The Hanseong Baekje Museum has announced that it will host a special exhibition, "Hittites: The Most Powerful Empire of the Orient," from March 8 to June 8, 2025. The exhibition will showcase 212 artifacts from the Hittite civilization, a dominant force in the ancient Near East from the 17th to 12th century BCE.

This exhibition follows its initial run at the Gimhae National Museum and will now be presented in Seoul as part of its Korea-wide tour. The artifacts were transported under strict conservation measures, traveling 10,000 kilometers from Çorum, Türkiye, to Istanbul by road, and later flown to South Korea in August 2024.

The Hittite Empire, alongside Egypt and Assyria, was one of the three great powers of the ancient Orient. Originating in central Türkiye, the empire expanded its influence to northern Mesopotamia and Syria. It is also credited with pioneering iron smelting technology, marking a key transition into the Iron Age.

Among the featured artifacts are bronze weapons and armor, ritual animal-shaped pottery, and various household tools, all excavated from Hattusa, the Hittite capital. The exhibition also includes cuneiform and hieroglyphic inscriptions on clay tablets, offering insight into the empire’s language, governance, and religious practices.

Kim Ji Yeon, director of the Hanseong Baekje Museum, stated, "We will continue to curate exhibitions that allow citizens to engage with the rich heritage of ancient civilizations."

This event provides a rare opportunity to explore the history and culture of one of the most influential empires of the ancient world, shedding light on the Hittites’ military prowess, technological advancements, and diplomatic relations with other great powers of their time.

Sayart / Joy, nunimbos@gmail.com