Turkey uncovers new fragment of oldest known peace treaty between Egypt and Hittites

A cuneiform tablet fragment unearthed at the Hittite capital of Hattusha has been identified as part of the ancient Egyptian-Hittite peace treaty, the oldest known surviving peace treaty. The fragment contains provisions regulating the treatment of people fleeing between Egypt and Hatti and the protection of their homes.

Turkey's Culture and Tourism Ministry announced the discovery of a cuneiform tablet fragment belonging to the ancient Egyptian-Hittite peace treaty, the oldest known surviving peace treaty. The fragment was unearthed during 2025 excavations at the Bogazkoy/Hattusha archaeological site in Corum's Boğazkale district, the Bronze Age capital of the Hittite Empire. Turkish Culture Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced the find on September 21, World Peace Day, writing that researchers determined the fragment belongs to the front side of one of the treaty's Akkadian cuneiform copies. Legible portions mention people fleeing from Egypt and the land of Hatti, along with statements concerning the protection of homes from destruction. The treaty, also known as the Eternal Treaty or Silver Treaty, was signed between Hittite King Hattusili III and Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II around 1259 BCE. Previous fragments are held in museums in Istanbul, Ankara, Berlin, and St. Petersburg, with a copy displayed at the UN headquarters.