Hemite relief

The relief, dating from the Hittite empire in the second millennium BC is located on the north bank of the Ceyhan river and faces south-southeast.

In ancient times, the route from the Hittite heartland in the north, over the Anti-Taurus Mountains to Syria ran along this side of the river, before crossing it - so it linked Kizzuwatna (later called Cilicia) with east Anatolia.

The importance which this nodal point retained even into the Middle Ages is indicated by the Armenian fortress of Amouda (now Hemite Kalesi) only 400 m further north.

He is dressed in a semi-circular cap with decorative bands, a short kilt and the ubiquitous Hittite pointed shoes.

A prince named Tarḫuntabija also appears in the list of witnesses to the Ulmitessuba-Treaty made under Hattusili III (r. c. 1265-1240 BC).