3 Bronze Shields and Helmet of 2700 Years Old Belonging to Urartians Found in Ayanis Castle

Three bronze shields and a bronze helmet dedicated to Haldi, the chief god of the Urartians, were discovered during excavations at the Ayanis Castle in Van province in eastern Türkiye.

The discovery was announced on the social media account of Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Minister of Culture and Tourism.

Ayanis Castle was built on a rocky hill close to Ağartı village whose old name was “Ayanis” and situated on the east bank of Lake Van, 38 km east of the capital Tuşpa.

Ayanis Castle, where the temple of Haldi, one of the most intact Urartian temples, is located, was built by the last great King of Urartu, Rusa II, in the mid-7th century BC. Written evidence shows that the fortress was destroyed by a major earthquake and associated fires 20 to 25 years after its construction.

 In the Ayanis Castle, known to be the last castle of the Urartu Kingdom, the archeological excavations are ongoing since 1989.

The excavations were conducted under the presidency of Prof. Dr. Altan Çilingiroğlu within the scope of Ege University “Van Project” until 2012. The studies are rendered by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Işıklı, associate in the Archeology Department, Literature Faculty, Atatürk University since 2013.

For the last few seasons, the excavation team has been trying to uncover the structures associated with the Haldi Temple in the citadel. In the 2024 excavation season, three bronze shields and a bronze helmet dedicated to Haldi, the chief god of the Urartians, were unearthed.

The artifacts found during the excavations in the monumental temple complex dedicated to the god Haldi reflect the richness of Urartian metalwork.

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Işıklı said in his statement, ‘In this year’s excavations, we unearthed 3 bronze shields and 1 helmet, which were found in very good condition.

The shields and helmet are dedicated to Haldi, the chief god and god of war. As you know, Ayanis Castle suffered a great earthquake. Because of this earthquake, there is a big collapse caused by the mudbrick walls.

Many artifacts are deformed because of this. but the artefacts found are in very good condition because they were found on the floor of the room at a depth of about 6-7 meters. Of course, we have some minor fractures and we will complete these with restoration and conservation.’

“There is also a bronze helmet among the artifacts found. We guess that it is a decorated and ceremonial helmet. Because we can see some decorations now, of course, it will be possible to see these ornaments and decorations more clearly after a comprehensive restoration and conservation,” he added.

Professor Işıklı stated that there is strong evidence that the site was used by a royal and religious elite group.

After 36 years of excavations, the Ayanis fortress has yielded a rich collection of bronze artifacts, especially bronze weapons. To date, more than 30 bronze shields have been unearthed during the excavations of the castle.

New Discovery at Karahan Tepe: The Figure of a Running Wild Donkey Carved on Stone

The figure of a running wild donkey carved on a stone was discovered during excavations at Karahan Tepe, a Pre-Pottery Neolithic site located in Şanlıurfa, southeast Türkiye.

 Karahan Tepe is one of the Pre Pottery Neolithic Sites emerging in what is known as the Taş Tepeler Region of Southeast Turkey in the province of Şanlıurfa. Located just 23 miles (37 km) southeast of Göbekli Tepe,  Karahantepe is part of the Taş Tepeler (Stone Hills) project.

Taş Tepeler simply means stone hills and is an apt description of a region producing numerous sites characterized by T-shaped anthropomorphic pillars of the type that first came to prominence at Göbekli Tepe.

2024 excavations continue in Karahan Tepe, where more than 250 obelisks in the ‘T’ shape were found. In this context, a depiction of a running wild donkey figure was uncovered on one of the stones paved on the floor.

Karahan Tepe Excavation Head Prof. Dr. Necmi Karul told AA correspondent that excavation works are continuing at 10 points including Karahan Tepe within the scope of the Taş Tepeler (Stone Hills) Project.

Stating that they have been working on other public buildings and huts around the central public building in Karahan Tepe this year and that they started to open one of them a few weeks ago, Karul said:

‘The building is sunken into the ground and has a wattle and daub roof system over a short stone wall. We understand that the floor was paved with large flat stones. Some of these stone pavements were used as grinding stones and on one of them we came across a wild donkey motif.

There are animals that are decisive in the iconography of this period. We divide them into 2 categories. The first one is the animals whose eeriness is emphasised, and we see these especially on the obelisks. Another group consists of birds and the most consumed animals, among which the gazelle is the most popular.

Wild donkeys are also among the other consumed animals. We can say that these animals were the animals that people were around, consumed and lived with during this period, compared to the scary ones. Similarly, this wild donkey is a figure placed in a base with grinding stones and carved in motion.

In this respect, we have encountered some figures on building bases in Göbeklitepe before, but this is the first time we have encountered such a moving wild donkey motif. This is a find that will contribute a little more to our understanding of the animal iconography and the relationship between man and his environment.’

Stating that the structures they are currently working on are places dating back to 11 thousand years ago, Karul pointed out that the presence of grinding stones in them indicates that daily life activities were also carried out here.

Stating that the presence of such animal depictions or obelisks in these places also proves that there are symbolic aspects, Karul said:

‘The donkey figure found is a figure of about 20 centimeters in length placed right next to the grinding stone, but the fact that it is mobile rather than its dimensions and that it is depicted in proportion to the stone on which it is carved, is again an indicator of the skill of the artists of this period.

This is the first example we have encountered as a figure on the floors of buildings in  Karahan Tepe. This, of course, shows that there may be similar ones. We have not yet reached the floor levels of many of the huts mentioned here. We are deepening them in different structures. There are other places where we will reach those levels.’

Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Minister of Culture and Tourism, shared on his social media account that Karahan Tepe sheds light on the depths of history as one of the most important settlements of the Neolithic Age and that the Stone Hills project continues to shed light on world history.

2nd-Century Statue Head Discovered at Fethiye Castle

Türkiye’s coastal town of  Fethiye, which is famous for its natural beauties and historical sites, found an 1800-year-old  statue head thought to belong to the god Apollo during excavations in Fethiye castle.

The castle was originally built during the time of the ancient Lycian city of Telmessos. Fethiye Castle was vital in protecting the ancient Lycian city of Telmessos.

The fortress was an essential part of the city’s defensive infrastructure, ensuring the safety and security of its inhabitants.

This ancient city was the largest and most important in the Lycian region, making the castle a significant structure for the area. The Castle of Fethiye has witnessed several transitions in its history.

During the Byzantine period, it underwent significant reconstruction, and later, it was taken over by the Knights of St. John.

Under the direction of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, in cooperation with the Muğla Governorship, the district governorship, Fethiye Municipality, and Fethiye Museum, the excavation work at the castle, which is situated in the Kesikkapı neighborhood of the Fethiye district, is still ongoing. Three years ago, the excavation got underway.

During the excavation, which was conducted under the scientific responsibility of Professor Kadir Pektaş, a statue head believed to belong to Apollo was discovered in the castle wall.

Pektaş, who is also the scientific director of the Fethiye Castle excavation, informed Anadolu Agency (AA) that the excavation work is part of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s “Legacy to the Future” project.

“During our work in the inner castle, in the area where the flagpole is located, a statue head, which we estimate to date back to the period around the A.D. second century, was found inside the wall.

This is a very important piece for us. In addition, coins from the Turkish-Islamic period, the Ottoman period, and the Menteşe Beylik were also discovered,” he said.

He mentioned that research is ongoing to determine to whom the statue head belongs, saying: “The statue head may belong to Apollo or another historical figure.”

In the interior of the fortress, cannonballs, items used in daily life and ceramic fragments were also unearthed.

8,000-year-old Female Figurine Discovered in Ulucak Höyük in Western Türkiye

One of the most prominent and oldest Neolithic sites found in what is now Turkey has yielded yet another interesting find – a clay statuette of a female figurine has been unearthed in Ulucak Höyük (Ulucak Mound), dated to 8.000 years ago.

The discovery was made in the western Turkish province’s Kemalpasa district, at Ulucak Höyük, one of the oldest sites in Western Anatolia. It is described as “a very rare piece” and may have been a part of significant abundance and fertility rites.

Prof. Dr. Özlem Çevik, Lecturer at the Department of Protohistory and Near Eastern Archaeology, Faculty of Letters, Trakya University, said: ‘The most important element distinguishing this figure from the others is that its mouth is indicated.

Because the figures usually have eyes and noses. However, in this figure, we see that both the mouth is indicated in the form of a hole and a hole has been made in the neck so that it can be jewelry.’

Excavations carried out with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Metropolitan Municipality, Kemalpaşa Municipality, and Kemalpaşa Organized Industry have been continuing since 2009 under the leadership of Trakya University Faculty of Literature, Protohistory and Near Eastern Archeology Department Lecturer Prof. Dr Özlem Çevik.

Stating that Ulucak Mound is one of the first village settlements of Izmir, Prof. Dr. Özlem Çevik said, ‘Ulucak represents one of the earliest farmer village settlements in Western Anatolia.  It is very important for us to understand the neolithisation process. The first settlement in the mound dates back to 8,850 years ago. For 1150 years, the neolithic settlement continued at Ulucak Höyük for 45 five generations without interruption. This year’s excavations continue at the mound.

One of the most important finds so far is a female figure. Generally, we find parts of figures such as arms, legs, and heads in Ulucak. This figurine, which we found lastly this year, was the 6th figure found as a whole so far.’

Prof. Dr. Çevik emphasized that it can be assumed that the depicted female figurine has a privileged position in the community and said, ‘It may represent the person who lives here and tells the stories in the community. It is made of clay. It is 8-10 centimeters in size. It can fit in one hand.

We find them buried in houses, near ovens, in pits under door thresholds, or associated with grinding stones, or associated with flints in a container. They may be ritual objects used to fulfill an intention, action, or request.’

Ulucak Mound, located in the Ulucak district of Kemalpaşa county on the 15th km of Bornova-Ankara road, was the location of one of the oldest settlements of Western Anatolia and it illuminates cultural history both by its architectural structure and its foundlings.

Excavations were started in 1995 and three cultural layers were identified. These are the Late Roman period at the top; the Early Bronze Age layers underneath Early Byzantine settlements and the Late Neolithic settlement at the bottom.