New Light on the Images of Hittite gods and Kings: 3D Scanning and Analysis of a Selected Corpus of Hittite Royal Sealings

This article presents a project focused on the 3D documentation and analysis of a selected group of Hittite royal sealings from the large cretulae deposit discovered at Nişantepe in Ḫattuša. After outlining the historical and administrative context of this exceptional archive—crucial for understanding bureaucratic practices and control mechanisms within the Hittite Empire—the authors describe the use of advanced 3D acquisition technologies (Artec Space Spider, MSII filtering, Virtual-RTI) to produce high-resolution digital models of sealings preserved in the Boğazköy Museum. These analyses reveal iconographic details, wear patterns, fingerprints, impressions of ropes or textiles, and allow for the digital reconstruction of the original seals. The study demonstrates how 3D modelling opens new perspectives for investigating the production, function, and material history of Hittite cretulae, while also contributing to digital preservation, interdisciplinary research, and innovative educational and museum applications.