Hittite Fitness 101: A Bronze Age Workout

The Chau Chak Wing Museum's very own registration officer and archaeologist Damien Stone is launching his second book: Lost Civilizations: Hittites, an accessible introduction to the eclectic culture and intriguing history of the Hittite Empire that flourished in Bronze Age Turkey.

What was the Hittite ideal when it came to body image? What sports and rituals kept them in shape off the battlefield? And what was their diet for sustaining those hard-earned gains? Skip your spin class and learn how mock battles were staged for keeping in shape. Turn off that Jane Fonda workout video and learn the Hittite exercise routine involving dairy products. We'll also consider remedial treatments undertaken for the sick and injured body. Leave your Lycra at home and let's workout the Hittite way!

Join us for a book signing and short lecture by Damien that gives an introduction to the Hittite world through the lens of fitness, an ever-growing industry in our own society. Presented in collaboration with the Near Eastern Archaeology Foundation (NEAF).

Lost Civilizations: Hittites is published by Reaktion books.

Damien Stone is responsible for stocktakes and valuations within the Collections Management team at the Chau Chak Wing Museum. He works closely with our museum database Axiell EMu making information about our objects more accessible. 

Damien has a background in archaeology, which he studied here at the University of Sydney.  He has written several books exploring themes in the ancient world including Pomegranate: a Global History (2017).