Archaeologists have discovered a 3,400-year-old fragment of the world’s oldest known peace treaty, Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced.

Known as the Treaty of Kadesh, the agreement was signed by Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II and Hittite king Hattusili III around 1269 BC. Other sections of the treaty had already been found, but the newly discovered fragment was unearthed during excavations at Hattusha in north-central Turkey.

New Treaty of Kadesh Fragment Found at Hattusha

“We have discovered traces of thousands of years of peace on Anatolian soil,” Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, said in a statement translated on September 21.

The newly discovered cuneiform tablet fragment contains text concerning the treatment of refugees, according to the statement. “This reminds us of our responsibility to protect human life and dignity,” Ersoy said.

The Hittite Capital and the Ancient Peace Agreement

Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of buildings from Hattusha, the ancient capital of the Hittites. The Hittite Empire ruled central Anatolia from about 1650 BC to 1200 BC during the Bronze Age.

Excavations at Hattusha have also revealed numerous diplomatic documents written in Akkadian, the oldest documented Semitic language, including other fragments of the Treaty of Kadesh.

The treaty marked the end of a long conflict between ancient Egypt and the Hittite Empire. It is also known as the Egyptian-Hittite Peace Treaty, the Eternal Treaty or the Silver Treaty. Although it is named after the Treaty of Kadesh, the document does not actually mention the Battle of Kadesh, which took place several years earlier.

What the Treaty of Kadesh Says

The treaty is preserved in inscriptions found in two ancient cities. In the early 19th century, archaeologists discovered a version carved in hieroglyphs on the walls of temples dedicated to the gods. These temples were associated with Ramesses II and were located in Thebes, now Luxor. Akkadian cuneiform fragments of the treaty were first identified at Hattusha in the early 20th century.

The agreement established a military détente between Ramesses II and Hattusili III after centuries of war over territory in the eastern Mediterranean. A translation provided by Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism includes a passage referring to the two leaders:

“He is my brother and is at peace with me. And I am his brother and am at peace with him forever.”

The treaty also declares that Egypt and Hatti will remain in a state of peace and fraternity forever.

Ancient Rules for Refugees

The treaty includes provisions for assistance if either country is invaded, as well as rules concerning refugees. Egyptians who fled to Hattusha were to be returned to Egypt, while people from Hattusha who fled to Egypt were to be returned to Hattusha. Their flight was considered a crime under the agreement.

However, the treaty specifically prohibits punishing refugees. One passage states:

“You shall not pluck out their tongues and eyes, cut off their ears and feet, and destroy their homes with their wives and children.”

Part of this passage appears in the newly discovered cuneiform fragment. Ongoing excavations could reveal additional sections of the treaty.

Treaty of Kadesh Replica at the United Nations

A bronze replica of the Treaty of Kadesh is prominently displayed at the United Nations complex in New York City, according to the United Nations.

The treaty pledges eternal friendship, lasting peace, territorial integrity, non-aggression, extradition and mutual assistance. The United Nations says its commitments are similar to the ideals of the organization.

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