A relief decorating the Sphinxes Gate at Alacahöyük. Height: 117 cm. Hittite, 14th century BC.
A group of acrobats. The figure on the right is climbing an unsupported ladder. The one on the left is a sword-swallower.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen
Source: ‘The Hittites’ (J.G.Macqueen) 1996.

A study in the mid 1990s, supervised by Dr. Hatçe Baltacıoğlu of the Ankara Archaeological Museum, employing stratigraphic data as well as style critique, dates the sculptures of the Sphynxes Gate to the reign of Muwatalli (1306-1282 BC).

Source: Website of ‘anadolumedeniyetlerimuzesi.gov.tr’ – Annual report 1996.