Archaeologists in Turkey have made an exciting discovery in the Tuşba district of Van, where a large basalt statue, believed to date back to the Urartian era, was unearthed during an excavation.
This statue was discovered at Garibin Tepe, approximately nineteen miles (thirty kilometers) from the city center and just under two miles (three kilometers) from Ayanis Castle. The site was initially identified during an emergency dig last year.
Details of the discovery
The statue, which weighs almost one ton and measures 6.5 feet (two meters) in length and 3.2 feet (one meter) in width, is notable for its impressive size and the material from which it is crafted. However, the statue’s neck was found broken.
It has since been transported to the Van Museum for restoration, where experts will conduct a detailed study on its origins and significance.
This year’s dig, led by the Van Museum and scientifically supervised by Professor Mehmet Işıklı from Atatürk University’s Department of Archaeology, has focused on the southern side of the hill. The area had previously revealed a large ancient building, adding layers of historical context to the current findings.
Professor Işıklı, an expert in Urartian archaeology, shared insight into the broader significance of this find. “In Urartian art, there are very limited works related to plastic arts, namely sculpture. We are working with only a few examples. In metal or stone, we don’t have much data in terms of sculpture.”
“In this regard, pieces of an object related to a lion statue were previously found in the excavation area. This year, however, we encountered a find that surprised us greatly. A striking example of Urartian plastic art made of basalt was unearthed,” Işıklı reported.
The significance of Garibin Tepe
The professor also emphasized the potential of the Garibin Tepe site, which has not yet been fully explored. “We are encountering such a monumental, three-dimensional statue for the first time. We hope to gain more detailed information after the initial studies.”
“It resembles a figure with a carved base, a stylized head, a square prism-shaped body, and indiscernible facial features,” Işıklı added. “It appears monumental. Whether it represents a divine or royal figure is very hard to determine. We even considered if it was a postmodern statue.”
The Garibin Tepe excavation continues to reveal important artifacts, shedding light on the rich history of the region. This discovery, in particular, offers a rare glimpse into the artistic practices of the Urartian civilization, known for its metal and stone works but seldom for its sculptures.
As the statue undergoes restoration at the Van Museum, the archaeological community awaits with anticipation. Further analysis will likely provide deeper insights into its stylistic features and historical context, contributing to our understanding of Urartian culture and art.
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