A 3,200-year-old stone inscription, detailing the exploits of a Trojan prince and potentially shedding light on the enigmatic Sea People, has been deciphered by researchers. The inscription, originally stretching 95 feet (29 meters) in length, describes the rise of the powerful kingdom of Mira and its military campaign, led by a Trojan prince named Muksus.
A Lost Record of Ancient Warfare
Written in the ancient Luwian language—a script known to only a handful of scholars worldwide—the inscription was recently deciphered by independent researcher Fred Woudhuizen. His findings, alongside those of geoarchaeologist Eberhard Zangger, will be published in the Proceedings of the Dutch Archaeological and Historical Society.
According to notes left by the late archaeologist James Mellaart, the inscription was copied in 1878 by French archaeologist Georges Perrot in Beyköy, Turkey. However, the original stone slab was later destroyed when villagers repurposed it for building materials. Despite its loss, Mellaart preserved copies of the inscription, enabling modern researchers to study its contents.
The Role of Mira and the Sea People
The inscription recounts how Mira, a kingdom in what is now western Turkey, played a role in devastating attacks across the Middle East, including the collapse of the once-powerful Hittite Empire. This suggests that Mira may have been aligned with the Sea People, a confederation that wreaked havoc across the Mediterranean during the Late Bronze Age.
Troy’s Connection to the Conflict
According to the inscription, King Kupantakuruntas ruled Mira and controlled Troy, referring to himself as Troy’s guardian rather than its king. The text details how his father, King Mashuittas, overthrew a Trojan ruler named Walmus, only to reinstate him later as a vassal of Mira. Prince Muksus, Kupantakuruntas’ successor, allegedly led a naval campaign that conquered the city of Ashkelon (in present-day Israel) and fortified it.
Debate Over Authenticity
Scholars remain divided on whether the inscription is genuine. Some suggest it could be a modern forgery, possibly fabricated by Mellaart or others. However, supporters of its authenticity argue that forging such a lengthy text in Luwian—an ancient language deciphered only in the 1950s—would have been nearly impossible.
The debate continues as researchers seek additional evidence beyond Mellaart’s notes. Until independent corroboration surfaces, the inscription remains an intriguing yet contested piece of history.
Conclusion
Whether authentic or not, this inscription adds another layer to our understanding of the Late Bronze Age and its turbulent conflicts. If verified, it could provide crucial insights into the interactions between Troy, the Sea People, and the kingdoms of the ancient Near East.
(Sources: Live Science, Owen Jarus, 2017)
