Archaeologists discover the world's oldest throne room in Turkey

Prof. Marcella Frangipane speaks to an audience about her discoveries
(Image credit: Twitter/ICOM Türkiye)

What appears to be one of the oldest throne rooms in human history has been discovered in Turkey's eastern region of Aslantepe, Discovery News reports. Located in a 5,000-year-old adobe basement, the charred evidence of what excavation director Marcella Frangipane believes is "likely the remains of a chair or throne" was unearthed in a complex that dates back to the fourth millennium B.C. The throne, Frangipane suggests, sat on an adobe platform at the top of three steps in a small room that opened into a larger courtyard. It was probably from this throne room that the society's leader would address the public; two low adobe platforms might have sat in front of the throne, for people to stand on when they approached the king.

"This reception courtyard and building were not a temple complex, they rather appear as the heart of the palace. We do not have religious rites here, but a ceremony showing the power of the 'king' and the state," Frangipane explained to Discovery News.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.