Turkish archaeologists excavating the ancient site of Külhöyük in Ankara’s Gölbaşı district have uncovered flower seeds preserved inside a 4,000-year-old Hittite vessel. Researchers describe the find as the oldest known seed remains of a plant that grows nowhere else in the world.
The discovery was made during ongoing excavation work at Külhöyük, a Hatti and Hittite settlement believed to date back roughly 5,000 years. Researchers say Külhöyük has long offered insight into Ankara’s cultural history, stretching from prehistoric times to the present, and the newly found seeds mark a notable discovery for the region’s plant history.
The remains were identified as belonging to the “Love Flower”, a Centaurea species that today grows only in Ankara’s Gölbaşı district. The plant is one of Turkey’s endemic species, found only within its borders, and remains under protection today. It received geographical indication status in 2019 after an application filed by the Gölbaşı Municipality.
Minister confirms oldest flower seeds found in Hittite vessel
Researchers said the seeds recovered from the Hittite vessel show that the flower has survived in the same landscape for thousands of years. The find offers fresh evidence about the history of plant life in ancient Anatolia and adds new data to the region’s broader flora record.
Ankara’nın 5 bin yıllık hafızasını Külhöyük’te yeni bir keşifle gün yüzüne çıkarıyoruz.
Hatti ve Hitit kenti Külhöyük’te yürüttüğümüz kazılarda, 4 bin yıllık bir Hitit kabının içinde bugün dünyada yalnızca Ankara Gölbaşı’nda yetişen endemik Sevgi Çiçeği’nin (Centaurea) bilinen… pic.twitter.com/7HsU9hpIQt
— Mehmet Nuri Ersoy (@MehmetNuriErsoy) September 10, 2026
Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced the discovery, calling it a new chapter in Ankara’s 5,000-year history. He said excavations at the Hatti and Hittite city of Külhöyük had produced the oldest known flower seeds belonging to the endemic Love Flower, found inside a 4,000-year-old Hittite container.
Ankara University team leads excavation work at Külhöyük
Ersoy said the plant, now protected and registered with geographical indication status since 2019, opens a new window onto the region’s flora history. He said the excavation is being carried out under presidential decision excavation status, on behalf of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Ankara University.
Associate Professor Derya Yılmaz Tekin is leading the work. Ersoy said the ministry would continue uncovering new findings at Külhöyük and thanked the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums and the excavation teams for their work.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
