Arslantepe

Arslantepe lies 8km/5mi to the north of the town near the village of Orduzu on the remains of a 16th century Ottoman palace. Excavations are still taking place on the site but finds so far include remains of pre-historic origin and relics from Hittite, late Hittite and Assyrian settlements. The ruins of a late Hittite palace with a large entrance have been unearthed. Stone slabs with relief carvings and monumental lion portals have been discovered. There is evidence to suggest that some of the slabs date from the time of the Hittite Empire. Remains of a later palace are from the time when Milid formed a part of the Assyrian Empire. Its decline in the early seventh century B.C. was brought about by the Cimmerians. Finds from the excavations are on display in the Hittite Museum in Ankara.