Emily Chan
Lying within the remains of the ancient temple of Hattusa in central Turkey is a smooth, green boulder with magical powers carved into the shape of a cube.
To the locals in the area, it is a “wishing stone” that will grant the wishes of whoever places their hands on it.
The purpose of the stone is unclear, as archaeologists have been unable to get to the bottom of the mystery.
The temple is one of the most significant structures at Hattusa, which was the capital city of the Hittite empire.
The Hittites settled in the region around 2000 B.C.E. and became one of the first major powers of the late Bronze Age in the Middle East.
At the height of the civilization, Hattusa was likely home to between 40,000 and 50,000 people. The settlement was abandoned sometime around 1200 B.C.E.
In 1834, archaeologists began to conduct excavations at the site, uncovering the Grand Temple and the green stone.
The Grand Temple dates back to the 13th century C.E. and is the most well-preserved Hittite temple in the world. It was erected in honor of Teshub, the storm god, and the Sun goddess Arinna.
The stone sits near the main entrance of the temple. The polished hunk of rock weighs 2,200 pounds and has been worn smooth due to exposure to the elements and human hands.
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