The Tanir Inscription, the subject of our paper, was found in August 2009, in the plain of Elbistan-Kahramanmaras by Asc.Prof Dr. Erkan Konyar from Istanbul University. Regarding its find spot and similarities to other inscriptions, the Taw Inscription displays the characteristics of the Late Hittite Period. Since it is located within the borders of the modern Kahramanmaras province, at first glance it might have been considered to belong to the Late Hittite Kingdom of Gurgum. However, Elbistan plain, where the inscription was discovered, is far to the north of Kahramanmaras and it was under the control of the Kingdom of Melid in the Late Hittite Period. Elbistan plain is surrounded by the fertile Malatya plain in the east and by the Kahramanmaras plain in the south. Two modem routes connect Elbistan to Maras. The eastern route passes through the rugged Nurhak Mountains, which rises up to 2800 m, while the western route approaches Elbistan over Goksun and Afsin, entwining west of the Nurhak Mountains. The road coming from Malatya, on the other hand, takes a more direct route to Elbistan plain over the one thousand 1800 high Akca Dagi. In Classical times Malatya, that is classical Melitene, was within the boundaries of Cappadocia, extending as far as Caesarea, modern Kayseri. Tariff, the find spot of the inscription, is located by the Hurman creek, at the northwestern tip of the Elbistan plain. This is one of the most important water sources in the plain and provides a passage that connects it to western lands after crossing the northern extents of Dibek and Binboga mountains. Four kilometres to the west of Taw and located by the Hurman creek is Yassihoyuk. Here the surveys by Ass. Prof Erkan Konyar have revealed sherds dated to the second and fiat millennia BC, which is very similar to those from Elbistan-Karahoyuk. If we bear in mind that Hurman creek also served as a route, then we may accept Yassihoyuk as a settlement established on it. The inscription was discovered in the Yukari Bogaz area of Taw village, near a spring called Sahren. In the Hittite Imperial Period springs and river banks together with important passes, were among the most favourable places for erecting inscriptions. The inscription is carved on a levelled rock surface and bordered with a rounded frame. The inscription area is 2.70 m above the ground and the area itself measures 80 cm x 1,10 m. The rock is badly worn due to natural conditions and we only could read the signs by touching while standing on a ladder. The inscription starts from the left and although this pan is broken; it probably accommodated six or seven signs. The more readable middle part has six signs and the right part is entirely damaged. Among the signs we have read, MA(x)-(LIx)-ZI stands out. The sign LIx should be below VITELLUS. In the damaged right part one should look for the signs REGIO.DOMINUS or URBS.DOMINUS, since here the gap has a convenient width. If this assumption is correct, then the signs on the left of the inscription can be a ruler name; unfortunately it was not possible to read any names.
