A 2,100-year-old soldier’s whistle, crafted from fired clay and designed in the shape of a bird, has been unearthed at the Oluz Höyük excavation site in Amasya. This remarkable artifact offers valuable insights into the military practices of the region, likely dating back to the reign of King Mithridates VI, the most influential ruler of the Mithridatic Kingdom before the Roman era.
Professor Sevket Donmez, head of the excavation and chair of Turkish Islamic archaeology at Istanbul University, explained that this whistle is far more than a simple noise-making device. With four holes, it is capable of producing melodies, distinguishing it from standard military whistles, which are more commonly associated with Roman culture.
Donmez explained, “We believe this whistle is from the first century B.C., during the reign of King Mithridates VI. Such whistles were used in pre-Roman Anatolian kingdoms, not just in Rome.”
The bird-shaped design of the whistle reflects the region’s rich natural environment. Professor Donmez noted that the Oluz Höyük area has been home to a lake since the Hittite period, an ecosystem renowned for its abundant birdlife, making the choice of motif particularly fitting.
“The whistle features a bird figure endemic to Amasya, which likely inspired its design. This is consistent with the local tradition of observing and depicting birds on pottery from the ancient period,” he added.
The soldier’s whistle, a significant artifact within Türkiye’s ongoing “Legacy for the Future” initiative, will be cleaned and conserved before being entrusted to the Amasya Museum. This discovery is part of a broader excavation project that continues to uncover the rich history of the region.
This extraordinary find not only deepens our understanding of military communication in ancient Anatolia but also offers a window into the daily life and skilled craftsmanship of the Mithridatic era.
