Ancient sculpture unveiled in Türkiye’s Garibin Tepe reveals Urartu art mysteries
In the Tusba district of Van, an approximately one-ton basalt statue from the Urartian period was uncovered during archaeological excavations conducted last year. Türkiye, October 30, 2024. (AA Photo)
Archaeologists have unearthed an approximately one-ton basalt statue from the Urartian period in the Tusba district of Van, Türkiye.
The statue has been transported to the Van Museum for restoration and further examination.
Significant find at Garibin Tepe
During rescue excavations carried out at Garibin Tepe in 2023, archaeologists discovered a monumental statue, marking the first of its kind in the area. This exciting find, which measures about 2 meters in length and 1 meter in width, was found in a historical site located 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from the city center and just 3 kilometers from Ayanis Castle.
Under the permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the excavation is being conducted by the Van Museum in collaboration with professor Mehmet Isikli, a faculty member from the Department of Archaeology at Ataturk University.
Unique characteristics of statue
The statue, believed to have a broken neck, is noted for its impressive size and craftsmanship.
Professor Isikli expressed enthusiasm about the discovery, stating: “This is a monumental three-dimensional statue that we have never encountered before. We are very excited, and after preliminary studies, we hope to gain more detailed information.”
Insights into Urartian artistry
Professor Isikli commented on the significance of the find, noting that the Urartian civilization has very few known sculptural artifacts. “In Urartian archaeology, we have limited knowledge about sculptural works. There are only a few examples available for reference. This find provides us with a striking example of Urartian plastic arts,” he remarked.
He also highlighted previous discoveries in the area, recalling a lion statue found during rescue excavations in 1995. This recent discovery adds to the understanding of the artistic practices of the Urartians.
Anticipation for further research
A team from Ankara will clarify after a detailed examination of the statue’s exact meaning and design.
“We have a solid block of stone here. It is very stylized and represents an impressive figure,” professor Isikli explained, adding: “Once it is restored, we will be able to learn more about its significance.”
Place of excitement for archaeology
The excitement surrounding Garibin Tepe continues to grow as it reveals new insights into the Urartian culture.
“We are facing a monumental and three-dimensional statue for the first time. This is an exciting area that could yield more unique findings. We anticipate significant results from ongoing studies and look forward to discovering more about this enigmatic figure,” professor Isikli noted.
The discovery of the basalt statue at Garibin Tepe represents a remarkable addition to the Urartian heritage in Türkiye.
As restoration and research continue at the Van Museum, archaeologists hope to shed light on this fascinating artifact’s history and cultural significance.
