Archaeologists in Turkey have made significant discoveries at Seyitomer Hoyuk, an archaeological site located within the vicinity of a thermal power station in Kütahya. Burnt cereal seeds, including oats, lentils, chickpeas, and poppy seeds, have emerged, providing valuable insights into agricultural practices and daily life during the Early and Middle Bronze Age.
Led by Sevgi Gurdal, director of the Kütahya Museum, the excavation is supported by Celikler Holding's thermal power plant. This project, initiated in 1989 to access 12 million tons of lignite reserves beneath the site, has unearthed a wealth of historical treasures.
The excavations at Seyitomer Hoyuk offer knowledge about life 5,000 years ago, from architecture to agriculture. Kütahya, located in northwestern Asia Minor, was known in antiquity as the Greek city of Cotyaeum, the birthplace of Aesop, and later as Cotyæum during Roman times.
Gurdal explained that this year's excavation team consists of 25 specialists, including archaeologists, anthropologists, art conservators, and architects, as well as 50 workers. The focus was on the earliest layers of the Early Bronze Age settlement.
“We gathered valuable information regarding architecture, daily life, and agricultural practices of the period,” he noted.
The team discovered rectangular houses with distinct walls in the lower layers, contrasting with the shared walls of the upper layers. Inside the houses, hearths, ovens, and tools were found, indicating that these spaces were used both as residences and workshops.
5,000-year-old chickpeas illustrate the region's deep roots in agricultural production. Among the findings, the chickpeas and poppy seeds stand out, indicating an uninterrupted cultural and economic relationship with the area.
“The discovery of poppy seeds in small jars and vessels with narrow necks suggests their historical significance. The poppy was used in both food and medicine and held particular economic importance for Kütahya and Afyonkarahisar for millennia,” Gurdal added.
The seeds were discovered in storage areas within the structures. Their excellent preservation is attributed to carbonization caused by ancient fires, which ensured their longevity.