draws Texier’s attention. On it is carved a humanfigure over 2 m
tall. Wearing a helmet and short kilt, and armed with axe and
sword, thisfigure obviously depicts a warrior. But that is all Texier
can say, for he has never seen anything else like it.
He is even more mystified when he is shown by some locals to a
large outcrop of rock that lies near the great city. It is called
Yazılıkaya – a Turkish word meaning ‘Inscribed Rock’. Here
Texier sees two processions of carvedfigures, dressed in strange
garb and approaching each other. There are symbols, worn but still
visible, next to some of thesefigures, curious picture-like symbols.
Maybe these represent a form of writing, their picture-like
character recalling the hieroglyphic script of Egypt. But the signs
are nothing like Egyptian hieroglyphs. There are other strange
figures carved on the rock walls–a human-headed sword plunged
into the ground, a group of 12 identicalfigures wearing short kilts,
conical hats and footgear with upturned toes. Armed with scimitar-
like swords, they are depicted in profile and appear to be running–
or walking very fast. There are two otherfigures, wearing skullcaps
and carrying staffs with curled-up ends. One of thesefigures is
Figure 1.1 Yazılıkaya today.
8 WARRIORS OF ANATOLIA