SHARE:
Descending dozens of slick steps worn smooth by millennia of use, guided only by stone walls, one can almost hear echoes of prayers to long-lost gods hovering in the cool, damp air of a narrow underground tunnel. At the bottom of the 50-step staircase lies a water-filled pool where, thousands of years ago, Hittite kings came to pray for prosperity. For these mighty rulers of ancient Anatolia, this sanctuary dedicated to their all-powerful Weather God was the most revered place in their vast empire.
Become a Digital Subscriber Today
Get full access to all content on the ARCHAEOLOGY website and our PDF archive going back to the first publication in March 1948.
Already a Subscriber? Sign In
