HISTORY IS ERUPTING FROM THE SOIL: URARTU'S DNA IS BEING RESEARCHED
Excavation work continues at Ayanis Castle, built 2700 years ago by Urartian King Rusa II in Van. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Işıklı, a faculty member of the Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Letters, Erzurum Atatürk University, stated that the human skeleton found in the castle two years ago is very valuable. Prof. Dr. Işıklı, stating that carbonized brain tissue fragments were also detected inside the skull, said, "We encountered such a remnant for the first time in Eastern Anatolia. Currently, DNA analyses are being conducted in the laboratories of Hacettepe University's Anthropology Department. The results may provide important information about the genetic origins of Urartian nobles."
Ayanis Castle, built by Urartian King Rusa II on a hill overlooking Lake Van, offers important information about the Urartian period with its decorations, architectural structure, and remnants. In the castle, which dates back approximately 2700 years, excavation work has been continuing uninterrupted for 38 years with the permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Important findings are being unearthed in the excavations continuing under the chairmanship of Prof. Dr. Mehmet Işıklı, a faculty member of the Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Letters, Erzurum Atatürk University. Prof. Dr. Işıklı stated that the excavations carried out at Ayanis hold the title of being the longest-running excavation in Urartian archaeology and that Ayanis is Urartu's last large and magnificent settlement. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Işıklı, stating that Ayanis Castle is located approximately 30 kilometers from Van city center, at a point overlooking one of the most beautiful bays of Lake Van, said, "These excavations, which have been going on for 38 years, are of great importance not only for Urartu but also for Turkish and world archaeology."
Prof. Dr. Işıklı stated that they define Ayanis not just as a castle, but as a city, and that they are at a proud point for Urartian, world, and Turkish archaeology. He said that they are faced with a castle that is very isolated, protected, and perhaps reflects all the accumulation of the Urartian kingdom both artistically and technologically. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Işıklı, stating that there are certain countries sharing the Urartian heritage in the world, with Turkey being at the forefront, said, "At the same time, Urartu brings the language here for the first time. We do not know that a society here previously used writing or had a writing tradition. There are no written documents in any way. In the mid-9th century BC, with the first Urartian inscriptions, the region also becomes acquainted with the written tradition, and thus for the first time, we learn the names of people, city names, and river names in the geography."
ONE OF THE BEST PRESERVED MUD-BRICK ARCHITECTURES
Prof. Dr. Işıklı stated that he has been the head of excavations for 12 years, that the excavations have primarily continued in the temple area for the last 10 years, and that this year they unearthed monumental mud-brick architecture preserved up to 6 meters in the northern chambers. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Işıklı, also explaining that these structures are among the best-preserved mud-brick architectures in the world, stated that such well-preserved structures are not found in most Urartian centers, saying, "When you visit most other Urartian centers, you won't encounter such good mud-brick architecture anywhere. It either was destroyed by the Middle Ages or melted away under natural conditions because it was exposed. You mostly encounter foundations there. But our castle's greatest fortune was that it had very large monumental mud-brick structures. When these collapsed in an earthquake, the castle was sealed, and we are the first to break that seal until we opened it. Therefore, we are very rich in terms of findings and very lucky in terms of architectural preservation."
‘WE ENCOUNTERED SUCH A REMNANT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN EASTERN ANATOLIA’
Prof. Dr. Işıklı stated that in the excavations two years ago, they reached a skeleton along with bronze artifacts, inscription fragments, and a miniature car-like object in the northern chamber. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Işıklı, stating that this skeleton is very valuable as it is the first human skeleton found in Ayanis Castle, conveyed that they believe the skeleton belongs to a male around 18 years old and likely an Urartian noble. Işıklı stated that seals and jewelry were found around the skeleton, which is an important clue regarding social status. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Işıklı, stating that carbonized brain tissue fragments were also present inside the skull, said, "The preservation of brain tissue in this way is a very rare occurrence in the world. In fact, a few world-renowned brain surgeons in our country showed great interest and wanted to conduct research on it. It was such an exciting find. We encountered such a remnant for the first time in Eastern Anatolia. Currently, Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Selim Erdal, one of the professors from Hacettepe Anthropology Department, is continuing his work in Hacettepe University's Human G laboratory. That is, DNA analyses are being carried out in the laboratories of Hacettepe University's Anthropology Department. The results may provide important information about the genetic origins of Urartian nobles. We are also eagerly awaiting the results."
‘VISITOR NUMBERS WILL INCREASE’
Prof. Dr. Işıklı, explaining that they have two major projects this year, said that they aim to increase the ratio of the visitable section of the temple area in Ayanis to 75 percent with the conservation projects being carried out. Işıklı stated that within the scope of two major projects supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Van Governorship, they plan to preserve the adobe structures and open them to more visitors, adding, "Our visitors will now be able to visit more areas in the temple site, and they will have the chance to get more information about Urartu."
