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Archaeologists found intact skeletons in the ruins of a fort in Ayanis, the Urartian center in Turkey’s Van province. Photo/Live Science
ANKARA – Archaeologists discovered intact skeletons in the ruins of a fort in Ayanis, Urartian center in Turkey’s Van province. This skeleton is thought to belong to a high-ranking official who was a victim of a devastating earthquake 2,700 years ago.
It is known from the jewelry worn and surrounded by weapons and other luxury artifacts. Among them are double-sided inscriptions and seals, small objects used to denote signatures, private property, ownership and authority.
“This person must have lived a life of luxury in the eighth century BC. “They fell to their deaths in the fortress, with luxurious personal belongings on them,” said Mehmet Isıklı, Head of Ayanis Excavations and Professor at the Department of Archeology at Ataturk University, quoted by SINDOnews from the Live Science page, Monday (11/9/2023).
The skeleton was found in a fort built in Ayanis, the Urartian center in Turkey’s Van province. The Iron Age Kingdom of Urartu ruled from the ninth to sixth centuries BC and stretched from what is now Armenia to western Iran and eastern Turkey.
Experts have long speculated that the earthquake and ensuing fire caused Ayanis’ fall. However, since excavations began in the late 1980s there has been a lack of evidence to support the scenario of a devastating earthquake destroying the fort.
“These skeletal findings provide important evidence against the earthquake hypothesis. These human remains may hint at the collapse of the glorious city of Ayanis,” said Mehmet Isikli.
Anthropological analysis will be carried out on the skeleton to determine the age and sex of this individual. The cuneiform tablet, which was found with the skeleton, will soon be translated and published.
According to Isıklı, not only is the skeleton very well preserved but the skull is in good condition. Işiklı said further anthropological testing is needed to confirm tissue remains, along with other skeletal characteristics.
It is known that the magnificent city of Ayanis was built by King Rusa II in the middle of the seventh century BC. However, the kingdom quickly entered the process of collapse for reasons that are still mysterious.
(wib)