2025/09/23 by Stefano Vitale, Leopoldo Repola, Giovanni Varriale +1 · 1 voice
Arts and Humanities · Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Archaeological Research and Protection #Building materials and conservation #Maritime and Coastal Archaeology
paper · pdf · doi:10.1080/17445647.2025.2556323
openalex publication_date 2025/09/23 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/15
We present the Geological Map of the UNESCO archaeological site of Ḫattuša in Türkiye. The mapped ∼5 km2 area is characterized by different superposed thrust sheets of the Upper Jurassic-Cretaceous Ankara Mélange succession, which is covered by Quaternary deposits. Here, the Ankara Mélange consists of an ophiolitic sequence comprising massive, layered and pillow basalts, gabbros and serpentinites, overlain by a sedimentary oceanic succession including argillites, sandstones, radiolarites, and cherty limestones, and finally capped by channelized calcareous conglomerates. The orogenic architecture is defined by older top-to-the-S thrusts, subsequently deformed by top-to-the-N back-thrusts. High-angle normal, transtensive, transpressive and strike-slip faults crosscut the orogenic pile. The geological map of Ḫattuša represents an important contribution to the understanding of the unique and complex geological setting that characterizes this region. On the other hand, it is also a crucial piece in the mosaic for assessing the relationship between man and the environment.