A Urartian Bronze Statue(?) from Ayanis Fortress
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Oğuz Aras [1]
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[1] Ardahan University
Ardahan University
Turquía
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- Localización: Aula Orientalis: Revista de estudios del Próximo Oriente Antiguo, ISSN 0212-5730, Vol. 44, Nº. 1, 2026, págs. 5-18
- Idioma: varios idiomas
- Enlaces
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Resumen
[This study examines two bronze fragments unearthed from the Ayanis Fortress, a prominent site of the Urartian Kingdom, situated near Lake Van in Eastern Anatolia. The fortress was built by King Rusa, son of Argishti, between 685 and 650 BCE, and reflects the architectural and religious sophistication of the Urartian period. The Temple of Haldi within the fortress features unique elements such as onyx-covered floors, intricate mythological motifs, and a prominent podium whose function remains debated. The fragments, discovered in the temple’s storage rooms, exhibit floral and rosette decorations comparable to artifacts from other Urartian sites like Toprakkale. Technical analyses indicate the use of the lost-wax casting technique, suggesting the fragments belong to a three-dimensional portable bronze sculpture, possibly about 60 cm in height. This hypothesis is consistent with the theory that the podium may have supported a cult statue used in religious ceremonies. Despite the absence of a complete statue, the fragments provide critical insights into Urartian religious practices, artistic traditions, and the symbolic role of portable statues in rituals.]
