Urartian DNA is being investigated

Ayanis Castle, built by the Urartian King Rusa II on a hill overlooking Lake Van, offers significant information about the Urartian period with its decorations, architectural structure, and remains. Excavations at the castle, which dates back approximately 2,700 years, have been ongoing for 38 years with the permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Significant findings are being unearthed in the ongoing excavations, led by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Işıklı, a faculty member in the Archaeology Department of Erzurum Atatürk University's Faculty of Letters. Prof. Dr. Işıklı stated that the excavations at Ayanis are the longest-running excavations in Urartian archaeology and that Ayanis was the last large and magnificent Urartian settlement. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Işıklı stated that Ayanis Castle is located approximately 30 kilometers from the center of Van, overlooking one of Lake Van's most beautiful bays. He said, "These excavations, which have been ongoing for 38 years, are of great importance not only for Urartian archaeology, but also for Turkish and global archaeology."

Professor Işıklı stated that they define Ayanis not just as a castle but as a city, emphasizing their pride in Urartian archaeology, the world, and our country. He explained that the castle is very isolated and protected, reflecting and revealing the entire artistic and technological heritage of the Urartian kingdom. Professor Mehmet Işıklı noted that there are several countries in the world that share the Urartian heritage, and that our country is at the forefront of these. He added, "Urartu also brought the language here for the first time. We don't know that any society here used writing or had a tradition of writing before. It doesn't exist in our written documents at all. With the first Urartian inscriptions in the mid-9th century BC, the region also became acquainted with the written tradition, and thus, for the first time, we learn the names of the people, cities, and rivers in the region."

One of the best preserved adobe architectures

Professor Işıklı stated that he has been the excavation director for 12 years and that excavations have been carried out primarily in the temple area for the last 10 years. He stated that this year, they unearthed monumental adobe architecture preserved up to 6 meters in the northern chambers. He also explained that these structures are among the best-preserved adobe architecture in the world, noting that most Urartian centers lack this level of preservation. He said, "When you visit most other Urartian centers, you won't encounter such fine adobe architecture anywhere else. It was either destroyed by the Middle Ages or, being exposed, melted and flowed under natural conditions. You'll mostly encounter foundations there. But our castle is fortunate in having very large monumental adobe structures. When these collapsed in the earthquake, the castle was sealed, and until we could open it, we were the first to break the seal. Therefore, we are both very rich in our findings and very fortunate in terms of the preservation of the architecture."

"This is the first time we've encountered such remains in Eastern Anatolia."

Prof. Dr. Işıklı stated that during excavations two years ago, they unearthed a skeleton along with bronze artifacts, inscription fragments, and a miniature car-like object in the northern section. Stating that this skeleton is very valuable because it is the first human skeleton found at Ayanis Castle, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Işıklı stated that they think the skeleton belongs to a male around 18 years old, possibly an Urartian nobleman. Işıklı stated that there were seals and jewelry around the skeleton, which are important clues to social status. Stating that there were also pieces of carbonized brain tissue inside the skull, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Işıklı said, "This preservation of brain tissue is a very rare occurrence in the world. In fact, several world-renowned neurosurgeons in our country showed great interest and wanted to conduct research on it. It was such an exciting find. This is the first time we've encountered such remains in Eastern Anatolia. Currently, Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Selim Erdal, a professor in the Hacettepe Anthropology Department, is working at the Hacettepe University Human G Laboratory. DNA analyses are being conducted in the Hacettepe University Anthropology Department laboratories. The results could provide important information about the genetic origins of the Urartian ancestors. We eagerly await the results."

'THE NUMBER OF VISITORS WILL INCREASE'

Professor Işıklı explained that they have two major projects planned this year, stating that they aim to increase the touring area of ​​the temple site to 75% through conservation projects underway at Ayanis. He explained that as part of these two major projects, supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Van Governorate, they plan to preserve the adobe structures and open them to more visitors. "Our visitors will now be able to visit more sites within the temple site and learn more about the Urartians," Işıklı said.