6 October 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Urartian-Era Fortress with 50 Rooms Discovered at 3,000 Meters in Eastern Türkiye

Archaeologists uncover a massive high-altitude fortress believed to date back to the Iron Age, with ties to the ancient Urartian civilization.

An archaeological team in eastern Türkiye has discovered the remains of a massive fortress with nearly 50 rooms and 4 kilometers of stone walls at an elevation of 3,000 meters. The remarkable find, located in the Tirişin Plateau of Van’s Gürpınar district, sheds light on the region’s strategic and cultural importance throughout history.

Led by Professor Dr. Rafet Çavuşoğlu, head of the Archaeology Department at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, the 12-person research team—including archaeologists, anthropologists, and art historians—conducted a surface survey in the rugged terrain under the support of Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

After a two-hour climb to the windswept plateau near Beşbudak Village, the team identified the ruins of a large-scale fortress built from locally sourced basalt stone. Initial examinations suggest the structure dates back to the Iron Age, with significant reuse and occupation continuing into the Middle Ages.

“Finding a 4-kilometer-long fortress wall and approximately 50 living spaces at such a high elevation was an extraordinary surprise,” said Prof. Dr. Çavuşoğlu. “This area likely served not only as a defensive stronghold but also as a vital pastoral and residential zone.”



📣 Our WhatsApp channel is now LIVE! Stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates, just click here to follow us on WhatsApp and never miss a thing!!



Credit: AA

Key Discoveries

Alongside the structural remains, researchers found ceramic shards, millstones, and carved stones bearing various symbols, indicating prolonged and diverse use of the site. The fortress also includes an inner citadel likely used as an administrative or strategic command center.

Drone footage and GPS mapping were used to document the site in preparation for registration and inventory by the Van Cultural Heritage Preservation Board. The team also identified circular mound-like structures resembling kurgans, possibly used for burial or ceremonial purposes.

Tirişin Plateau: A Natural Fortress

The Tirişin Plateau is not only strategically placed but also rich in natural resources like abundant water and fertile grazing lands—ideal for the semi-nomadic pastoralism practiced throughout history. These features likely made it a coveted location for ancient civilizations.

“We believe this area was a hub for small livestock farming, which still continues today,” noted Çavuşoğlu. “The fortress provided both protection for the inhabitants and control over valuable highland resources.”

Credit: AA

The Urartians: Masters of the Mountains

The discovery aligns with what is known about the Urartians, an ancient kingdom that dominated eastern Anatolia between the 9th and 6th centuries BCE. Known for their military prowess, sophisticated irrigation systems, and fortified architecture, the Urartians strategically built their cities and fortresses on high ground to maintain visibility and control over surrounding valleys.

Building at high altitudes gave Urartians several advantages:

Natural defense: Elevation made invasions difficult.

Water management: They could construct advanced water channels from mountain sources.

Surveillance: Panoramic views allowed early warnings of potential threats.

The newly discovered fortress may have functioned in a similar manner—providing security, administrative control, and agricultural oversight.

Credit: AA

A Step Toward Tourism and Preservation

Local officials and residents expressed enthusiasm about the find. Beşbudak Village headman Mehmet Ceylan emphasized the cultural value of the site, calling for further preservation and promotion.

“This is an important legacy left by our ancestors,” said Ceylan. “We hope this discovery brings more awareness and tourism to our village and region.”

This high-altitude archaeological site is a significant addition to the historical landscape of eastern Anatolia. As studies continue, the findings may deepen our understanding of ancient civilizations like the Urartians and their remarkable ability to adapt to and thrive in challenging mountainous environments.

With growing interest in cultural heritage tourism and ongoing research in the region, Van is quickly becoming a focal point for archaeologists and history enthusiasts alike.

Cover Image Credit: AA

Related Articles

Pictish ring believed to be more than 1,000-years-old found during Burghead fort dig in Scotland

5 September 2024

5 September 2024

A “remarkable” Pictish ring thought to be more than 1,000 years old has been unearthed by an amateur archaeologist on...

Two unique mid-14th-century shipwrecks discovered in Sweden

22 April 2023

22 April 2023

During an archaeological dig in western Sweden this summer, the remains of two medieval merchant vessels known as cogs were...

A well-preserved comb discovered in a 4th-century rare Alemannic chamber grave in Germany

4 September 2024

4 September 2024

During a rescue excavation in the center of the village of Gerstetten, located in the Heidenheim district of southwestern Germany,...

3500-year-old ceramic oven discovered in Turkey’s Tepecik Mound

24 August 2021

24 August 2021

A 3,500-year-old ceramic oven was unearthed in Tepecik Mound in the Çine district of Aydın, in western Turkey. Tepecik Höyük,...

Archaeologists have pinpointed the location of a famous early Islamic battle using declassified spy satellite images

14 November 2024

14 November 2024

Archaeologists from Durham University in the UK and the University of Al-Qadisiyah have identified the site of the historic Battle...

A first in 35 years! Child grave with bracelets and gifts found in ancient city of Kelenderis

25 June 2022

25 June 2022

During this year’s excavations in the ancient city of Kelenderis, founded on the Mediterranean coast in the southern province of...

A new study reveals, Anglo-Saxon Kings were generally vegetarian, but peasants treated them to huge meat feasts

22 April 2022

22 April 2022

Very few people in England ate large amounts of meat before the Vikings settled, and there is no evidence that...

Early Imperial cemetery in Nîmes, in the south of France

4 October 2022

4 October 2022

Inrap archaeologists excavating at Nîmes in southern France have uncovered a cemetery dating to the first to second centuries AD...

Stone Age women in Europe were tied up and buried alive in ritual sacrifices

11 April 2024

11 April 2024

New research has identified over a dozen murders where women were traditionally sacrificed in Neolithic Europe across a period of...

New finds in ancient Rome’s Pompeii show ‘conditions of precarity and poor hygiene, in which people of lower status lived during that time

20 August 2023

20 August 2023

Archaeologists have discovered a small bedroom in Civita Giuliana villa near Pompeii that was almost certainly used by slaves, throwing...

Rich Votive Deposit Discovered in the Valley of the Temples of Agrigento

10 August 2023

10 August 2023

At least sixty terracotta figurines, female protomes, and busts, oil lamps, and small vases, a rich votive deposit of bronze...

5,000-Year-Old Matrilineal Society Discovered in China: DNA Unveils Ancient Female-Led Clans

30 July 2025

30 July 2025

In a remarkable study, scientists have uncovered genetic evidence of a rare matrilineal society in Neolithic China, where women determined...

Poseidon’s Trident Discovered in Lake İznik

4 May 2025

4 May 2025

The depths of Lake İznik have yielded a discovery of profound significance, instantly captivating historians and archaeologists. The recent recovery...

Vietnam’s Nguom Rock Roof: A 124,000-Year-Old Paleolithic Site of Global Significance

29 September 2025

29 September 2025

Hidden along the limestone slopes above the Than Sa River in Thai Nguyen province, northern Vietnam, rises the monumental Nguom...

A rare 2,500-year-old shipwreck found off the Greek island of Kythera

5 November 2021

5 November 2021

A rare shipwreck from the ancient era was discovered during the maritime survey for the Crete-Peloponnese subsea link. The Independent...