Archaeologists have uncovered the ruins of an ancient castle dating back 2,800 years on a mountain 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) above sea level in the Gürpnar region of eastern Turkey’s Van province. This remarkable discovery provides new insights into the history of the area, revealing that the fortress has been utilized by various cultures since the time of the Urartians, an ancient civilization known for its advanced architecture and strategic military fortifications.
The ruins were discovered during an excavation operation sponsored by Van Yüzüncü Yıl University. The site includes the remains of a massive cistern, measuring 6.5 meters in depth and length, with a diameter of 2.5 meters, as well as walls and pottery artifacts. These findings suggest that the castle served a significant role in the region’s history, possibly as a defensive stronghold or a center of local governance.
Rafet Çavuşoğlu, the head of the excavation team and an archaeology professor at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, provided further details on the discovery. “Although it is believed to be dated back to the Urartian era like the Van Castle, we see that it was mostly used in the Middle Ages,” he told Anadolu Agency (AA). He explained that the castle’s construction likely began around 2,800 years ago, as evidenced by the ceramic pieces, cistern, and city walls found at the site. The walls were constructed using limestone rock and sandstone, materials commonly used in the region during that period.
The newly discovered castle is expected to add to the historical richness of the Gürpnar district, according to Hayrullah Tanış, the district mayor. “In cooperation with Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, we made an important discovery here. We found a new castle witnessing the Urartian period and the Middle Ages. This discovery excites us in terms of tourism and culture,” Tanış stated. The find is anticipated to boost both cultural tourism and the understanding of the region’s historical significance.
The Kingdom of Urartu, also known as the Kingdom of Van, was a Bronze and Iron Age civilization that flourished from the 9th century BCE in what is now ancient Armenia, eastern Turkey, and northern Iran. Known for their advanced arts and crafts, particularly in metalworking, the Urartians utilized military strength and fortifications to exert control over their territory. The kingdom, however, disappeared in the 6th century BCE, lasting only about two centuries. It was not until excavations in the 19th century CE that Urartu was recognized as a distinct and significant ancient civilization.
The name “Urartu” is derived from “Urashtu,” the Assyrian term for the kingdom, which translates to “high location.” This likely refers to the mountainous terrain of the region or the Urartians’ common practice of fortifying high rock promontories. The Babylonians referred to the kingdom as “Uruatri,” and the Hebrews called it “Ararat,” a name still associated with the region today. The Urartians themselves referred to their kingdom as “Biaina” or “Land of the Nairi,” and their capital was located in Tusba, now a district in Van province.
Tusba, which served as the Urartian capital in the 9th century BCE, was a key center of power and culture. The discovery of the castle in the Gürpnar region further underscores the historical importance of this area, revealing the enduring influence of the Urartian civilization and its impact on subsequent cultures in the region.
As excavations continue, archaeologists hope to uncover more about the castle’s history, its role in the region, and the various cultures that have occupied it over the centuries. This discovery not only enriches our understanding of the Urartian period but also highlights the significance of the Van province as a crossroads of ancient civilizations.