New fragment of oldest peace treaty found at Hittite capital Hattusha

Turkish archaeologists have discovered a new fragment of the ancient Egyptian-Hittite peace treaty, the oldest known surviving peace accord, at the Hittite capital of Hattusha in Çorum province. The Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry announced the finding on Monday. The cuneiform tablet fragment, unearthed during 2025 excavations at the Boğazkoy/Hattusha site, contains provisions regulating the treatment of people fleeing between Egypt and Hatti, including protection of their homes from destruction. Researchers determined it belongs to the front side of one of the treaty's Akkadian copies. The treaty, signed around 1259 BCE between Hittite King Hattusili III and Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II, ended a centuries-long war. Previous fragments are held in museums in Istanbul, Berlin, and St. Petersburg, with a copy displayed at the United Nations headquarters.