# Kerkenes **PUBLISHED 2022**. Please also visit the ***[publication's webpage.](/publications/excavations-palatial-complex-kerkenes-final-reports-2)*** The Iron Age capital on Kerkenes Dağ, probably the Pteria of Herodotus, is the largest pre-Hellenistic city on the Anatolian Plateau. Culturally Phrygian, as evinced by inscription, graffiti, architecture and material culture, it seems to have been founded as the capital of a new petty kingdom close to the end of the seventh century BCE, and to have been put to the torch during the conflict between Cyrus the Great of Persia and Croesus king of Lydia in 547 BCE. The city was surrounded by 7 km of towered stone defences pierced by 7 gates. Geophysical survey has revealed with remarkable clarity that the entire urban space was crammed with urban blocks each containing timber-framed buildings on stone footings. Excavations have exposed monumental architecture, sculpture, large semi-iconic and aniconic stele and idols together with sumptuous embellished ivories. This publication project is directed by **[Dr. Geoffrey Summers](/people/geoffrey-summers)**. Other publications can be downloaded at: [https://oi.uchicago.edu/sites/oi.uchicago.edu/files/uploads/shared/docs/Publications/OIP/oip145.pdf ](https://oi.uchicago.edu/sites/oi.uchicago.edu/files/uploads/shared/docs/Publications/OIP/oip145.pdf%20) [](static.projects.iq.harvard.edu/files/styles/os_files_xxlarge/public/whitelevy/files/ch_1_pl_6_93slhb0132.jpg?m=1627596049&itok=6OKPo4L2) ![Kerkenes](/sites/g/files/omnuum3196/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/whitelevy/files/ch_1_pl_6_93slhb0132.jpg?itok=pMC5g7JG) Southern portion of the city from a hot-air balloon. The Kiremitlik is at top right, thePalatial Complex at center, the acropolis at center left.[ ![Interpretation of all data sets of the Palatial Complex at Kerkenes](/sites/g/files/omnuum3196/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/whitelevy/files/ch_1_pl_16.jpg?itok=8gavpJ6h) ](static.projects.iq.harvard.edu/files/styles/os_files_xxlarge/public/whitelevy/files/ch_1_pl_16.jpg?m=1627596329&itok=FeaDl1sF)Interpretation of all data sets of the Palatial Complex at Kerkenes[ ![The stone glacis at the front of the Palatial Complex at Kerkenes from the northeast](/sites/g/files/omnuum3196/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/whitelevy/files/ch_2_pl_07_02slvf0121.jpg?itok=OaCEF1bD) ](static.projects.iq.harvard.edu/files/styles/os_files_xxlarge/public/whitelevy/files/ch_2_pl_07_02slvf0121.jpg?m=1627596390&itok=U0Zfsauj)The stone glacis at the front of the Palatial Complex at Kerkenes from the northeast[ ![Room 1 of the Ashlar Building in 2002 looking southwest](/sites/g/files/omnuum3196/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/whitelevy/files/ch_5_pl_11_02dpjv3606.jpg?itok=1K-JwMtm) ](static.projects.iq.harvard.edu/files/styles/os_files_xxlarge/public/whitelevy/files/ch_5_pl_11_02dpjv3606.jpg?m=1627596486&itok=DwFof1p5)Room 1 of the Ashlar Building in 2002 looking southwest[ ![The Monumental Entrance from the east with the threshold of the front façade in the foreground](/sites/g/files/omnuum3196/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/whitelevy/files/ch_7_pl_02_05dpnc0958.jpg?itok=v7YkMEUO) ](/static.projects.iq.harvard.edu/files/styles/os_files_xxlarge/public/whitelevy/files/ch_7_pl_02_05dpnc0958.jpg?m=1627596557&itok=ENgfKWs_)The Monumental Entrance from the east with the threshold of the front façade in the foreground[ ![One of the double-faced idol blocks from the Palatial Complex at Kerkenes after restoration; Idol Block 2, K05.232, Original height c. 1.25 meters. Photograph by Ben Claasz Coockson.](/sites/g/files/omnuum3196/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/whitelevy/files/ch_8_pl_331_10dpkc1707.jpg?itok=gDaNI6Au) ](static.projects.iq.harvard.edu/files/styles/os_files_xxlarge/public/whitelevy/files/ch_8_pl_331_10dpkc1707.jpg?m=1627596620&itok=jjJTDbyC)One of the double-faced idol blocks from the Palatial Complex at Kerkenes after restoration; Idol Block 2, K05.232, Original height c. 1.25 meters. Photograph by Ben Claasz Coockson. See also:- [ 2014 Sponsored Projects ](/grants-year/2014) - [ Anatolia ](/sponsored-projects-area/anatolia)