Smithsonian Magazine · People & society

Ancient Peace Treaty Fragment Unearthed in Turkey

Archaeologists in Turkey have discovered a fragment of a cuneiform tablet believed to be a copy of the Kadesh Peace Treaty, the world's oldest known international peace agreement.

The treaty, signed around 1269 B.C.E. between the Hittites and Egyptians, ended a conflict over Syrian territory. It promised "eternal friendship, lasting peace, territorial integrity, nonaggression, extradition and mutual help." While originally on silver tablets, its text was preserved in hieroglyphics and cuneiform copies.

The newly found fragment, inscribed with Akkadian cuneiform, was discovered during excavations at Büyükkale, the former Hittite royal palace in Hattusa, Turkey. Scientific examinations confirmed its connection to the Kadesh Peace Treaty.

This discovery adds to previous findings of treaty copies, including a broken clay tablet first found at Hattusa in 1906. The treaty itself was the result of centuries of conflict, with the Battle of Kadesh ending in a stalemate.

The fragment contains text from articles 12 through 20 of the treaty, which detail rules for refugees fleeing between Egypt and Hittite territory, including a prohibition against destroying their homes.

Researchers studied the artifact for about a year before announcing the find and hope to uncover more segments of this particular copy. The treaty emphasizes a brotherhood and eternal peace between the rulers, Ramses II and Hattusilli III.

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