Karahan (A 2-9A–B)
The two basalt steles were found in Karahan in 1976–77. They share the same width (67 cm) and thickness (31 cm). Fragment A, with a rounded top, is the upper part of a stele and has a height of 117 cm with 25 lines of inscription. Fragment B, broken at the top and bottom, is 113 cm high and has 32 lines of inscription. The first 21 lines on Fragment A constitute the main text. This text begins to repeat in lines 22–25 of Fragment A and continues from where it left off in lines 1’–17′ of Fragment B. The text repeats once more in lines 18’–32′ of Fragment B, missing approximately six lines at the broken bottom. Although Fragment B seems to continue exactly from the line where it ended on Fragment A, they more likely belong to two separate steles with similar content. The main difference is that the two copies of the text on Fragment B add ‘a city’ beside the newly built fortress and vineyard. Both fragments are in the Van Museum, although only Fragment A is on display.
Transliteration (after CTU V):
A
1 dhal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-ši-ni
2 dhal-di-e e-ú-ri-[e]
3 miš-pu-ú-i-ni-še mdsar5-du-ri-[hi-ni-še]
4 dhal-di-ni-li KÁ ši-di-iš-tú-a-[li]
5 dhal-di-ni URU ba-du-si-[e]
6 i-ni dú-a-i ṭè-ri-bi-šú-⸢zi⸣
7 ku-gu-ú-ni dhal-di-ni ⸢URU⸣
8 ú-i gi-e-i iš-ti-ni
9 ši-da-ú-ri miš-pu-ú-i-ni-⸢še⸣
10 mdsar5-du-ri-e-hi-ni-še ši-di-iš-tú-ni
11 e-ú-e É.GAL šú-hí e-ú-e
12 GIŠul-di-e šú-hí te-ru-ni
13 ⸢bur⸣-ga-na-ni GIŠza-ri šú-hí te-ru-ni
14 dhal-di-ni be-di-ni
15 dhal-di-na-ni KÁ be-di-ni
16 dú-a-ni be-di-ni
17 ⸢ma⸣-nu-li-ni ul-gu-ú-še
18 [m]iš-pu-ú-i-ni-e mdsar5-du-ri-hi-ni-e
19 mmì-nu-ú-a miš-pu-ú-i-ni-hi-ni-[e]
20 ⸢e⸣-ʾa nu-ni dhal-di-[ni]
21 ar-ni ma-ni-[ni] e-ú-e dú-[a-ni]
22 [d]hal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-ši-ni
23 [d]hal-di-[e] e-ú-ri-[e]
24 [m]iš-pu-ú-i-ni-še mdsar5-du-ri-[e-hi-ni-še]
25 [dhal]⸢-di⸣-ni-li KÁ ši-di-⸢iš⸣[-tú-a-li]
B
l’ [dhal-di-ni ]⸢URU⸣ [ba-du-si-e]
2′ i-ni dú-a-i ṭè-ri-bi-šú-[zi]
3′ ⸢ku⸣-gu-ú-ni dhal-di-ni URU
4′ ú-i gi-e-i iš-ti-⸢ni⸣
5′ ⸢ši⸣-da-ú-ri miš-pu-ú-i-ni-še
6′ [m]dsar5-du-ri-e-hi-ni-še ši-di-iš-tú-⸢ni⸣
7′ e-ú-e É.GAL šú-hí e-ʾa URU
8′ [GIŠ]ul-di-e šú-hí te-ru-ni
9′ ⸢bur⸣-ga-na-ni GIŠza-ri šú-hí te-ru-ni
10′ dhal-di-ni be-di-ni
11′ dhal-di-na-ni KÁ be-di-ni
12′ dú-a-ni be-di-ni
13′ ⸢ma⸣-nu-li-ni ul-gu-ú-⸢še⸣
14′ [m]iš-pu-ú-i-ni-e mdsar5-du-ri-e-hi-ni
15′ mmì-nu-ú-a miš-pu-ú-i-ni-hi-ni-e
16′ ⸢e⸣-ʾa nu-ni dhal-di-ni
17′ ⸢ar⸣-ni ma-ni-ni e-ú-e dú-a-⸢ni⸣
18′ [d]hal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-ši-ni
19′ dhal-di-e e-ú-⸢ri⸣-e
20′ [m]⸢iš⸣-pu-ú-i-ni-še mdsar5-du-[ri-]e-hi-ni-še
21′ [d]hal-di-ni-li KÁ ši-⸢di-iš⸣-tú-a-li
22′ [d]hal-di-ni URU ⸢ba-du⸣-si-⸢e⸣
23′ [i-]ni dú-a-i ⸢ṭè⸣[-ri-]⸢bi⸣-šú-⸢zi⸣
24′ ⸢ku⸣-gu-ú-<ni> dhal-[di-]ni ⸢URU⸣
25′ ú-i gi-e-i iš-ti-ni
26′ [ši]-da-ú-ri miš-pu-ú-[i]-ni-še
27′ [md]sar5-du-ri-e-hi-ni-še ši-di-iš-tú-ni
28′ [e]-ú-e É.GAL šú-hí e-ʾa URU
29′ [GIŠ]⸢ul⸣-di-e šú-hí te-ru-⸢ni⸣
30′ [bur-]⸢ga⸣-na-ni GIŠ⸢za⸣-ri šú-⸢hí⸣[ te-]⸢ru-ni⸣
31′ [dhal]-di[-ni] be-[di-ni]
32′ [dhal]-di-[na-]ni [KÁ be-di-ni]
Translation:
(A:) “(1) Through the protection of the god Haldi, for the god Haldi, the (or: his) Lord, Išpuini, [son of] Sarduri, buil[t] this gate of the god Haldi to perfection in the city of the god Haldi. (6) He erected this stele(?) of the god Ua in the ci[ty] of the god Haldi. Nothing had (ever) been built here (before). (9) Išpuini, son of Sarduri, established a new fortress, as well as a new vineyard. He established a pen(?) (and) a new fruit garden. (14) On behalf of the god Haldi, on behalf of the gate of the god Haldi, on behalf of the god Ua, may there be life for Išpuini, son of Sarduri, (and) for Minua, son of Išpuini, and for (both of) them(?) may there be the favor(?) of the god Haldi and the god Ua.
(22) Through the protection of the god Haldi, for the god Haldi, the/his Lord, (24) Išpuini, [son of] Sarduri, built a gate of the god Haldi.”
(B:) “(1′) and a city of the god Haldi to perfection. He erected this stele(?) of the god Ua in the city of the god Haldi. (4′) Nothing had (ever) been built here (before). (5′) Išpuini, son of Sarduri, built both a new fortress and a city. He established a new [vi]neyard, he [estab]lished a [p]en(?) and a new fruit orchard. (10′) On behalf of the god Haldi, on behalf of the ‘Gate of Haldi’, on behalf of the god Ua let life be (given) to Išpuini, son of Sarduri, (and) to Minua, son of Išpuini and for them(?) let Haldi come [with] favor/support(?) and (that) of the god Ua.
(18′) Through the protection of the god Haldi, in Haldi, the Lord, Išpuini, son of Sarduri, built a gate of the god and a city of the god Haldi to perfection. He erected this stele(?) of the god Ua in the city of the god Haldi. Nothing had (ever) been built here (before). Išpuini, son of Sarduri, built both a new fortress and a city. He established a new [vi]neyard, he [estab]lished a [p]en(?) and a new fruit orchard. [On be]half [of the god Hal]di, [on behalf of the gate] of the [god Hal]di …”
References:
Dinçol, A. M. & E. Kavaklı. 1978a. “Van bölgesinde bulunmuş yeni Urartu yazıtları / Die neuen Urartaeischen Inschriften aus der Umgebung von Van,” Jahrbuch für kleinasiatische Forschungen Beiheft 1, İstanbul. (15–19 / 55–59 and Plt. 5, Karahan 2).
Dinçol, A. & E. Kavaklı. 1978b. “Karahan Köyünde Bulunan Dört Yeni Urartu Yazıtı-Neuere Urartaeische Inschriften aus dem Dorfe Karahan,” Anadolu Araştırmaları 6, 17–32 (24–26 and Plts. 9–10a, Karahan 8).
Işık, K., B. Genç, B. Gökçe & R. Kuvanç. 2019. “Inscribed stelae fragments and a stela base recently found at Karahan, eastern Turkey, and the problem of Karahan in Urartian epigraphy,” AJNES 13-2, 100–119 (Figs. 7 and 15).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 112–115, v. 3 pp. 63–64, v. 5 pp. 50–52.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006884).
CTU A 2-9B = KUKN 20A
Image Sources:
A. Dinçol & E. Kavaklı, 1978a and 1978b
K. Işık et al., 2019
Bora Bilgin, 2024
Karahan (A 5-19)
The stele fragment was found in the late 19th century, reused in the wall of a house in Karahan at the northeastern tip of Lake Van. It was later used as a gravestone. The few preserved lines are identical to the endings of two other steles from Salmanağa (A 5-17) and Ererin (A 5-18). If the lost upper content was also the same, it would have concerned the building of a canal. The fragment is housed in the Istanbul Archaeology Museum.
Transliteration:
1 [m]mì-nu-[ú-a-še miš-pu-u-i-ni-hi-ni-še]
2 ⸢ti⸣-a-lí [DUB-te a-li-e a-me-e-i]
3 ⸢te⸣-ru-[ú-bi a-li i-ru-ú-li-e]
4 ⸢lu⸣-ú-[ru-qu-ú-li-e]
5 [šú]-hi ba-[at-qi-du-li-ni]
Translation:
“(1) Minu[a, son of Išpuini] says: [the inscription which] I est[ablished . . .] (3b) [which might] . . . [one might] re-[establish it from an]ew . . .”
References:
Işık, K., B. Genç, B. Gökçe & R. Kuvanç. 2019. “Inscribed stelae fragments and a stela base recently found at Karahan, eastern Turkey, and the problem of Karahan in Urartian epigraphy,” AJNES 13-2, 100–119 (Figs. 6).
Lehmann-Haupt, C. F. 1928–1935. Corpus Inscriptionum Chaldicarum, Berlin-Leipzig (No. 108).
Salvini, M. 2003. “Collazioni e ricostruzioni di testi urartei nella zona di Van. 2. Raccordo fra due stele di Minua,” SMEA 45, 209–223 (219).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 211–212, v. 3 p. 136, v. 5 pp. 127–128.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006917).
CTU A 5-19 = CICh 108 = HchI 62b = UKN 124 = KUKN 143
Image Sources:
K. Işık et al., 2019
Karahan (A 5-24)
The basalt stele fragment was found in 1976 in the village of Karahan at the northeast tip of Lake Van, about 13 km west of Muradiye. The fragment, with a rounded top, belongs to the upper section of a stele and measures 94 cm in height, 62 cm in width, and 31 cm in depth. The inscription celebrates the founding of a canal and a city by King Minua. The stele is on display at the Van Museum.
Transliteration:
obverse
1 [dhal]-di-i-⸢ni⸣-[ni]
2 [uš]-ma-a-ši-i-[ni]
3 [d]hal-di-i-[e]
4 e-ú-ri-i-[e]
5 [m]mì-i-nu-ú-a-[še]
6 [m]⸢iš⸣-pu-u-i-ni-hi-ni-[še]
7 [i]-ni pu-lu-si-[e]
8 ⸢ku⸣-ú-gu-ú-⸢ni⸣
9 ⸢d⸣hal-di-ni-⸢ni⸣
10 ⸢al⸣-su-i-ši-i-⸢ni⸣
11 [m]mì-i-nu-ú-a-⸢ni⸣
12 [m]iš-pu-ú-i-ni-[hi]
13 ⸢MAN⸣ DAN-NU MAN al-su-⸢ni⸣
14 [MAN] ⸢KUR⸣bi-a-i-⸢na⸣-[ú-e]
reverse
1 i]-⸢ni pi⸣-li-e
2 [a]-⸢gu⸣-ú-li e-⸢ú⸣-[e]
3 [i]-ni URU šá-a-tú-⸢bi⸣
4 ⸢te⸣-e-ru-ú-bi-⸢e⸣
5 [m]mì-nu-a-hi-ni-li
6 ti-i-ni ú-i gi-i
7 iš-ti-ni ši-da-u-ri
8 LÚú-e-di-a-ni
9 pa-a-ru-ú-bi-e
10 e-er-ṣi-du-ú-bi
11 i-iš-i-ti-i-ni
12 mmì-nu-a-še a-li-e
13 a-lu-še i-ni DUB-te
14 tú-li-e a-lu-še
15 pi-i-tú-li-i-e
16 a-lu-še a-i-ni-i
17 i-ni-li du-li-e
Translation:
“(obv. 1) Through the [pro]tection of the god Haldi, (3) for Haldi, his (or: the) Lord, (5) Minua, son of Išpuini, (7) erected this stele. (8) Through the greatness of the god Haldi (10) (I am) Minua, son of Išpuini, (12) strong [ki]ng, great king, king of the Bia lands, [. . . ].
(rev. 1) I [du]g this canal and founded this city, (4) I gave it the name ‘Minuahinili’ (or: the Minuan), (5b) Nothing had (ever) been build here before. (8) I deported women (and) I settled them here. (12) Minua says: (as for the one) who destroys this inscription, (14) (as for the one) who damages it, (16) (as for the one) who makes anyone else do these things, . . .”
References:
Dinçol, A. M. & E. Kavaklı. 1978a. “Van bölgesinde bulunmuş yeni Urartu yazıtları / Die neuen Urartaeischen Inschriften aus der Umgebung von Van,” Jahrbuch für kleinasiatische Forschungen Beiheft 1, İstanbul. (19–23 / 59–62 and Plts. VI–IX, Karahan 3).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 215–216, v. 3 p. 138, v. 5 pp. 131–132.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006922).
Image Sources:
A. Dinçol & E. Kavaklı, 1978a
Bora Bilgin, 2024
Karahan (A 5-28)
The inscribed stele is one of several found during excavations in 1977 near the village of Karahan, at the northeastern tip of Lake Van. The fragment, which is 100 cm high, 64 cm wide, and 30 cm thick, belongs to the top section of a round-topped stele. The inscription celebrates Minua’s building activities in the city of Arṣuniuini. The stele is on display in the Van Museum.
Transliteration:
obverse
1 dhal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-ši-ni dhal-di-e e-ú-⸢ri⸣-<e>
2 mmì-nu-ú-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-hi-ni-⸢še⸣
3 dhal-di-ni-li KÁ ši-di-iš-tú-a-[li]
4 URUar-ṣu-ni-ú-i-ni-e ba-du-si-⸢e⸣
5 i-ni dú-ra-a ṭi5-ri-bi-šú-⸢zi⸣
6 ku-gu-ú-ni URUar-ṣu-ni-ú-i-ni-e
7 ú-i gi-e-i ši-i-da-ú-ri
8 ši-di-iš-tú-ni mmì-nu-ú-a-še
9 miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-še
10 e-ʾa É.GAL šú-ú-hí e-ʾa URU
11 GIŠul-di-e šú-ú-hí te-e-ru-ni
12 bur-ga-na-ni GIŠza-ri šú-ú-hí te-e-ru-ni
13 dhal-di-ni be-di-i-ni
14 dhal-di-na-ni KÁ be-di-ni
15 dú-ra-a be-di-ni
16 ma-a-nu-li nu-ni ul-gu-ú-⸢še⸣
17 miš-pu-ú-i-ni-i-e
18 mdsar5-du-ri-hi-ni-e
19 mmì-nu-a miš-pu-ú-i-ni-hi-ni-e
20 ⸢e⸣-ʾa nu-ni dhal-di-ni ar-a-ni
21 [ma]-a-ni-ni e-ʾa dú-ra-a-ni
22 [dhal-di-ni]-ni uš-ma-ši-ni
23 [dhal-di-e] e-ú-⸢ri⸣-[e]
Translation:
“(1) Through the protection of the god Haldi, for the god Haldi, the (or: his) Lord, Minua, son of Išpuini, (3) built a gate of the god Haldi in the city Arṣuniuini to perfection. (5) He built this cult stele(?) (ṭiribišuzi) for the god Ura in the city Arṣuniuini. Nothing had (ever) been built here (before). (8b) Minua, son of Išpuini, established a new fortress as well as a city and a new vineyard. He established a pen(?) (burganani) and a new fruit orchard. (13) On behalf of the god Haldi, on behalf of the gate of the god Haldi, (15) on behalf of the god Ura may there be life (17) for Išpuini, son of Sarduri, (19) Minua, son of Išpuini, (20) and for (both of) them(?) may there be the favor(?) of the god Haldi and the god Ura. (22) Through the greatness of the god Haldi, for the god Haldi,] the (or: his) Lord [ . . . ] …”
References:
Dinçol, A. M. & E. Kavaklı. 1978a. “Van bölgesinde bulunmuş yeni Urartu yazıtları / Die neuen Urartaeischen Inschriften aus der Umgebung von Van,” Jahrbuch für kleinasiatische Forschungen Beiheft 1, İstanbul. (8–15 / 48–55 and Plts. II–III, Karahan 1).
Salvini, M. 1993. “Reflections about the Urartian shrines of the stelae,” in Aspects of Art and Iconography: Anatolia and its Neighbors (Fs N. Özgüç), eds. M. J. Mellink, E. Porada & T. Özgüç, Ankara, pp. 543–548 and Plt. 93.
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 219–220, v. 3 p. 140, v. 5 pp. 135–136.
Salvini, M. & I. Wegner. 2014. Einführung in die urartäische Sprache, Wiesbaden (p. 122).
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006926).
CTU A 5-28 = KUKN 172a
Image Sources:
A. Dinçol & E. Kavaklı, 1978a
M. Salvini & I. Wegner, 2014
Bora Bilgin, 2024
Karahan (A 5-29)
An inscribed stele fragment was found in 1977 during an excavation by the Van Museum near the village of Karahan, at the northeastern tip of Lake Van. This fragment and two other steles were discovered reused within the ruins of a later structure, likely a church. The fragment belongs to the middle section of a stele and measures 115 cm in height, 64 cm in width, and 30 cm in thickness. The preserved inscription is a duplicate of a series of steles found in Karahan (Išpuini’s A 2-9A and B, and Minua A 5-28, 30, and 31). The first 11 lines belong to the end of the text, and the 12th line marks the start of the same text, indicating—as on other steles—that the text is repeated at least twice on the same stele. The stele is in the inventory of the Van Museum.
Transliteration:
1ʹ [e-ʾa É.GAL šú-ú-hí e]-ʾa [URU]
2ʹ ⸢GIŠul-di-e šú⸣-hí te-ru-⸢ni⸣
3ʹ [bur]-ga-na-ni GIŠza-ri šú-hí te-⸢ru-ni⸣
4ʹ ⸢d⸣hal-di-ni be-di-⸢ni⸣
5ʹ dhal-di-na-ni KÁ be-⸢di-ni⸣
6ʹ ⸢d⸣ú-ra-a-ni be-⸢di⸣-[ni]
7ʹ ⸢ma⸣-nu-li-ni ul-gu-ú-[še]
8ʹ [m]⸢iš⸣-pu-ú-i-ni-e mdsar5-du-ri-e-hi-⸢ni⸣-[e]
9ʹ ⸢mmì⸣-nu-ú-a miš-pu-ú-i-⸢ni-hi-ni⸣-[e]
10ʹ [e]-ʾa nu-ni dhal-[di]-ni
11ʹ ⸢ar⸣-ni ⸢ma-ni-ni e-ú-e⸣ d[ú-ra-a-ni]
12ʹ ⸢dhal⸣-[di-ni-ni uš-ma-ši-ni]
Translation:
“(1ʹ) [ . . . he built a new fortress, a]nd [a city], (as well as a) a new vineyard. (2ʹb) He (also) established a pen(?) (burganani) (and) planted a new fruit orchard. (4ʹ) On behalf of the god Haldi, on behalf of the gate of the god Haldi, (6ʹ) on behalf of the god Ura let there be life (8ʹ) for Išpuini, son of Sarduri, and for Minua, son of Išpuini, (10ʹ) and for them(?) let there be the favor(?) of the god Hal[di] and of the god [Ura. Through the protection] of the god Hal[di, for the god Haldi, the lord . . .].”
References:
Dinçol, A. & E. Kavaklı. 1978b. “Karahan Köyünde Bulunan Dört Yeni Urartu Yazıtı/Neuere Urartaeische Inschriften aus dem Dorfe Karahan,” Anadolu Araştırmaları 6, 17–32 (23–24 and Plts. 7–8, Karahan 7).
Işık, K., B. Genç, B. Gökçe & R. Kuvanç. 2019. “Inscribed stelae fragments and a stela base recently found at Karahan, eastern Turkey, and the problem of Karahan in Urartian epigraphy,” AJNES 13-2, 100–119 (Figs. 14).
Salvini, M. 1993. “Reflections about the Urartian shrines of the stelae,” in Aspects of Art and Iconography: Anatolia and its Neighbors (Fs N. Özgüç), eds. M. J. Mellink, E. Porada & T. Özgüç, Ankara, pp. 543–548 and Plt. 93.
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 220–221, v. 3 p. 141, v. 5 p. 136.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006927).
CTU A 5-29 = KUKN 38a
Image Sources:
A. Dinçol & E. Kavaklı, 1978b
M. Salvini, 2008
K. Işık et al., 2019
Karahan (A 5-30)
The incomplete stele was reassembled from two parts found at different times. According to F. E. Lehmann-Haupt, the first fragment—the lower part of the stele—was used as a gravestone in the Armenian church of St. Stephen (Surb Step‘anos) in Berkri (today Muradiye), though the fragment itself bears no markings to identify it as such. It is now in the inventory of the Istanbul Archaeology Museum. The middle section of the stele was found in 1977 during a survey in Karahan and is now on display in the Van Museum. The combined pieces form the bottom half of the stele, measuring 1.75 m in height, 65 cm in width, and 30/31 cm in thickness. The inscription concerns construction activities in the city of Arṣuniuini and is a duplicate of a text known from several other steles found at Karahan (A 5-28, A 5-29, and A 5-31). The front of the stele repeats the same text twice: the first four lines represent the end of the text, and lines 5–25 present the complete repeated text. The reverse contains a curse formula against any damage to the stele.
Transliteration:
obverse
1ʹ [m]dsar5-du-ri-e-⸢hi⸣-[ni-e]
2ʹ mmì-nu-a miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-⸢hé⸣-[ni-e]
3ʹ e-ʾa nu-ni dhal-di-ni ar-a-ni
4ʹ ma-a-ni-ni e-ʾa dú-a-ni
5ʹ dhal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-ši-ni
6ʹ dhal-di-e e-ú-ri-e
7ʹ mmì-nu-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-hi-ni-še
8ʹ dhal-di-ni-li KÁ ši-di-iš-tú-a-li
9ʹ URUar-ṣu-ni-ú-i-ni-e ba-du-si-e
10ʹ i-ni dú-a ṭi5-ri-bi-šú-zi
11ʹ ku-gu-ú-ni URUar-ṣu-ú-i-ni-e
12ʹ ú-i gi-e-i ši-i-da-<ú>-ri
13ʹ ši-di-iš-tú-ú-ni mmì-nu-a-še
14ʹ miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-še
15ʹ e-ʾa É.GAL šú-ú-hí e-ʾa URU
16ʹ GIŠul-di šú-ú-hí te-ru-ú-ni
17ʹ ⸢bur⸣-ga-na-ni GIŠza-a-ri šú-ú-hí te-ru-ni
18ʹ dhal-di-ni be-di-i-ni
19ʹ dhal-di-na-ni KÁ be-di-ni
20ʹ dú-a be-di-ni ma-a-nu-li nu-ú-ni
21ʹ ul-gu-ú-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e
22ʹ [mdsar5]-du-ri-e-hi-[ni]-e
23ʹ [mmì-nu]-⸢a miš-pu⸣-[ú-i-ni-hi-ni-e]
24ʹ [e]-⸢ʾa⸣ nu-ni ⸢dhal-di⸣-ni ar-a-ni
25ʹ [ma]-ni-ni e-ʾa dú-a-ni
reverse
1 [mmì-nu-a-še miš-pu]-ú-i-ni-hi-ni-[še]
2 [a-li-e d]hal-di-ni-e ba-du-si-e DUB-⸢te⸣
3 [te]-⸢ru⸣-ú-bi a-li URUar-ṣu-ni-ú-i-⸢ni⸣
4 ⸢DUB⸣-te te-ru-ú-bi a-li i-na-⸢a⸣
5 ⸢pu⸣-lu-si-i-na-a DUB-te te-ru-ú-⸢bi⸣
6 [a]-⸢lu⸣-uš-ni tú-li-e a-lu-še pi-tú-li-⸢e⸣
7 [a]-lu-še še-er-du-li-e a-lu-⸢še⸣
8 ú-li-e i-ni-li du-li-e dhal-di-⸢še⸣
9 [d]⸢IM⸣-še dUTU-še qi-ú-ra-a-še DINGIRMEŠ-⸢še⸣
10 [tú]-ru-ti-ni-e-ni ma-a-ni e-⸢ʾa⸣
11 ⸢zi⸣-li-bi qi-ú-ra-a-ni e-di-ni
Translation:
“(obv. 1ʹ) [For Išpuini,] son of Sarduri, (and) for Minua, son of Išpuini, (3ʹ) and for them may there be the favor(?) (arani) of the god Haldi and the god Ua. (5ʹ) Through the protection of the god Haldi, for the god Haldi, the (or: his) Lord, (7ʹ) Minua, son of Išpuini, built a gate of the god Haldi in the city Arṣuniuini to perfection. (10ʹ) He erected this cult stele(?) (ṭeribišuzi) of(?) the god Ua in the city Arṣuniuini. (12ʹ) Nothing had (ever) been built here (before). Minua, son of Išpuini, built a new fortress as well as a city. (16ʹ) He (also) planted a new vineyard, he built a pen(?) (burganani) as well as a new fruit orchard. (18ʹ) On behalf of the god Haldi, on behalf of the gate of the god Haldi, (20ʹ) on behalf of the god Ua may there be life for them(?), (namely) for Išpuini, son of Sarduri and for Minua, son of Išpuini. (24ʹ) And may there be for them(?) the favor(?) of the god Haldi and the god Ua.
(rev. 1) [Minua, son of Išp]uini, [says:] for(?) the god Haldi I established an inscription to perfection. (3b) He says: in the city Arṣuniuini I made an inscription. (4b) He says: On this stele I made an inscription. (6) (As for the one) [w]ho destroys it, (as for the one) who damages it, (7) (as for the one) who hides it, (as for the one) who makes anyone else do these things, (8) may the god Haldi, the Weather-God and the Sun-God, the Earth, (and all) the gods, annihilate him and his descendents, from the earth.”
References:
Dinçol, A. & E. Kavaklı. 1978b. “Karahan Köyünde Bulunan Dört Yeni Urartu Yazıtı/Neuere Urartaeische Inschriften aus dem Dorfe Karahan,” Anadolu Araştırmaları 6, 17–32 (19 and Plts. 3–4, Karahan 5).
Lehmann-Haupt, C. F. 1928–1935. Corpus Inscriptionum Chaldicarum, Berlin-Leipzig (No. 29).
Salvini, M. 1993. “Reflections about the Urartian shrines of the stelae,” in Aspects of Art and Iconography: Anatolia and its Neighbors (Fs N. Özgüç), eds. M. J. Mellink, E. Porada & T. Özgüç, Ankara, pp. 543–548 and Plt. 93.
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 221–222, v. 3 p. 142, v. 5 pp. 136–138.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006928).
CTU A 5-30 = CICh 29 = HchI 74 = UKN 99 = KUKN 41, 42
Image Sources:
A. Dinçol & E. Kavaklı, 1978b
M. Salvini, 2008
Bora Bilgin, 2024
Karahan(?) (A 5-31)
The lost stele, of unknown provenance, was identified only from old photographs. The text appears to be nearly identical to the texts of Minua known from steles found in Karahan (A 5-28, 29, 30), which celebrate building activities in the city of Arṣuniuini. The main difference is that this inscription names the god Nalai instead of the god Ua/Ura.
Transliteration:
obverse
1ʹ [miš-pu-ú-i-ni-i]-e-[hi-ni-še]
2ʹ [e-ʾa É.GAL šú-ú]-⸢hé⸣ e-⸢ʾa⸣ [URU]
3ʹ [GIŠul-di šú-ú-hé] te-ru-[ú-ni]
4ʹ [bur]-⸢ga⸣-na-ni [GIŠza-ri]
5ʹ [šú-hé te-ru-ni]
6ʹ ⸢d⸣hal-⸢di⸣-[i-ni] be-[di-i-ni]
7ʹ ⸢d⸣hal-di-⸢na⸣-[ni KÁ be-di-ni]
8ʹ ⸢d⸣na-a-⸢la⸣-a-[i-ni be-di-ni]
9ʹ [ma]-a-nu-⸢li⸣ [nu-ni ul-gu-ú-še]
10ʹ miš-pu-ú-[i-ni-i-e]
11ʹ mdsar5-⸢du⸣-[ú-ri-e-hi-ni-e]
12ʹ mmì-nu-a miš-⸢pu⸣-[ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-e]
13ʹ ⸢e⸣-ʾa nu-ni d[hal-di-ni ar-a-ni]
14ʹ ⸢ma⸣-a-nu-li-ni ⸢e⸣-[ʾa dna-la-i-ni]
15ʹ dhal-di-[ni-ni uš-ma-ši-ni]
16ʹ dhal-⸢di⸣-[e e-ú-ri-e]
17ʹ mmì-nu-a-še m[iš-pu-i-ni-hi-ni-še]
18ʹ ⸢d⸣hal-⸢di⸣-ni-⸢li⸣ [KÁ ši-di-iš-tú-a-li]
19ʹ ⸢URUar-ṣu-ni⸣-[ú-i-ni-e]
20ʹ [ba-du-si]-⸢e d⸣[na-la-i-ni-e]
21ʹ ⸢ṭi5-ri⸣-bi-šú-[zi ku-gu-ni]
22ʹ ⸢URUar-ṣu-i⸣-[ni-e ú-i]
23ʹ [gi]-⸢e-i iš⸣-[ti-ni ši-da-ú-ri]
24ʹ [mmì-nu-a-še miš-pu-i-ni-hi-ni-še]
25ʹ [ši-di-iš-tú-ni e-ʾa É.GAL šú-hé]
26ʹ [e-ʾa URU GIŠul-di-e šú-hé te-ru-ni]
27ʹ ⸢bur-ga-na-ni⸣ [GIŠza-ri šú-hé te-ru-ni]
28ʹ ⸢d⸣hal-⸢di⸣-[i-ni be-di-i-ni]
29ʹ ⸢d⸣hal-di-⸢na⸣-[ni KÁ be-di-ni]
30ʹ ⸢dna⸣-a-⸢la⸣-[i-ni be-di-ni]
31ʹ ⸢ma⸣-a-nu-⸢li⸣ [nu-ni ul-gu-še]
32ʹ miš-pu-⸢ú⸣-[i-ni-i-e]
33ʹ mdsar5-du-[ú-ri-e-hi-ni-e]
34ʹ mmì-nu-a miš-pu-ú-[i-ni-e-hi-ni-e]
35ʹ ⸢e⸣-ʾa nu-ni d[hal-di-ni ar-a-ni]
36ʹ ⸢ma⸣-a-nu-li-ni e-[ʾa dna-la-i-ni]
reverse
1 [mmì-nu-ú-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-hi-ni-še a-li-e]
2 [i-ni pu]-⸢lu⸣-si za-du-⸢bi⸣
3 [mmì-nu-ú-a-še miš-pu-ú-i]-ni-hi-ni-[še]
4 [a]-li d[hal-di]-⸢ni⸣-[e ba-du]-si-e DUB-[te]
5 [te]-⸢ru⸣-[ú]-[bi a-li URUar]-ṣu-ni-ú-i-[ni]
6 [DUB]-⸢te⸣ te-[ru-ú-bi a]-li i-na-[a]
7 [pu]-lu-si-i-[na-a DUB]-⸢te⸣ te-ru-ú-[bi]
8 [a]-lu-uš-ni tú-[li-e a-lu]-še pi-tú-li-[e]
9 [a]-lu-še še-[er-du-li]-⸢e⸣ a-lu-[še]
10 [ú]-li-e i-⸢ni⸣-[li du-li]-⸢e⸣ dhal-di-[še]
11 [d]IM-še dUTU-[še qi-ú-ra]-a-še DINGIRMEŠ-[še]
12 [tú]-⸢ru⸣-ti-ni-⸢e⸣-[ni] ⸢ma-a⸣-ni e-⸢ʾa⸣
13 [zi]-li-bi ⸢qi⸣-[ú-ra-a]-⸢ni⸣ e-di-ni
Translation:
“(obv. 1ʹ) [. . . Minua, son of Išpuin]i, establish[ed a ne]w [fortress, a city, and a new vineyard. [He established a p]en(?) (burganani) [and a new fruit orchard]. (6ʹ) On beh[alf] of the god Haldi, [on behalf of the gate] of the god Haldi, [on behalf of] the god Nalai, may [there be life] for Išpu[ini], son of Sard[uri and] for Minua, son of Išp[uini] and may there be for them [the favor(?) of the god Haldi] and of the god Nalai. (15ʹ) [Through the protection of] the god Haldi, [for] the god Haldi, [the (or: his) Lord], Minua, [son of Išpuini], [built a gate] of the god Haldi in the city Arṣuni[uini], to [perfection], and [he erected] a cult stele(?) (ṭeribišuzi) of the god Nalai in the city Arṣui[ni]. [No]thing has ever [been built] he[re] before. (24ʹ) [Minua, son of Išpuini built a new fortress as well as a city]. [He built a new vineyard,] a pen(?), [and a new fruit orchard]. (28ʹ) [On behalf of] the god Haldi, [on behalf of the gate of] the god Haldi, (30ʹ) [on behalf of] the god Nalai may there be [for them(?), (namely) for Išpu[ini, son of] Sardu[ri] and for Minua, [son of] Išpu[ini, life]. (35ʹ) And may there be for them(?) [the favor(?) of the god Haldi] an[d of the god Nalai].
(rev. 1) [Minua, son of Išpuini, says:] I made [this st]ele. (3) [Minua], son of [Išpui]ni says: [for] the god [Haldi] I established an inscription to [per]fection. (5) He says: in the city Arṣuniuini [I] establi[shed] an [inscrip]tion. (6b) He says: On (each of) these stelae [I] established [an inscri]ption. (8) (As for the one) [w]ho destr[oys it, (as for the one) w]ho damages it, (9) (as for the one) who hides it, (as for the one) who makes anyone else [d]o these things, (10b) may the god Haldi, the Weather-God and the Sun-God, [the Ear]th, (and all) the gods, annihilate him and his descendents, from the earth.”
References:
Israelyan, M. A. 1961. “Մի անհայտ սեպագիր արձանագրություն” (An Unknown Cuneiform Inscription), Izvestija Akademii Nauk Armjanskoj SSR, Obščestvennye Nauki 12, 35–50.
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 222–224, v. 5 p. 138–139.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006929).
CTU A 5-31 = UKN II 382 = KUKN 40
Image Sources:
M. A. Israelyan, 1961
Karahan (A 5-74 and A 5-76)
The top section of a round-topped basalt stele (A 5-74) was found at the end of the 19th century in the village of Karahan, at the northeast tip of Lake Van. It measures 199 cm in height, 76 cm in width, and 36.5 cm in thickness and is inscribed on the front face only, with the same text repeated twice. A large cross and Armenian inscription on the back indicate its later use as a gravestone. The bottom section of the stele (A 5-76) was found in 1977 during excavations in Karahan and identified as the lower part of the same monument. This fragment, inscribed with a curse formula below a blank space, measures 174 cm in height, 77 cm in width, and 38 cm in depth. Its sides were shaved to form a tenon for reuse as a gravestone. The combined height of the two pieces is 3.75 m; with the base and lost sections accounted for, the original stele is estimated to have been around 4.5 m tall. Both fragments are on display in the Van Museum, with the bottom fragment positioned upside down.
Transliteration (after eCUT):
1 dhal-di-i-e
2 e-ú-ri-i-e
3 i-ni NA4pu-lu-si-e
4 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-še
5 miš-pu-u-i-ni-hi-ni-še
6 ku-ú-i-gu-ú-ni
7 dhal-di-i-ni-ni
8 al-su-ú-i-ši-ni
9 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-ni
10 miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi
11 MAN DAN-NU MAN al-su-i-ni
12 MAN KURbi-a-i-na-ú-e
13 a-lu-ú-si-e
14 URUṭu-uš-pa-a URU
15 dhal-di-i-e
16 e-ú-ri-i-e
17 i-ni NA4pu-lu-si-e
18 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-še
19 miš-pu-u-i-ni-hi-ni-še
20 ku-ú-i-gu-ú-ni
21 dhal-di-i-ni-ni
22 al-su-ú-i-ši-ni
23 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-ni
24 miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi
25 MAN DAN-NU MAN al-su-i-ni
26 MAN KURbi-a-i-na-ú-e
27 a-lu-ú-si-e
28 URUṭu-uš-pa-a URU
(blank space)
29 (1) mmì-nu-a-še a-li-e
30 (2) a-lu-še i-ni DUB-⸢te⸣
31 (3) tú-li-i-e a-lu-še
32 (4) pi-i-tú-ú-li-i-e
33 (5) a-lu-še a-i-ni-e-i
34 (6) i-ni-li du-li-i-e
35 (7) [a]-⸢lu⸣-še ú-li-e-[še]
36 (8) [ti]-i-ú-li-i-[e]
37 (9) [i-e]-še za-du-ú-[bi]
38 (10) [tú-ú]-⸢ri⸣-ni-ni dhal-di-[še]
39 (11) [d]IM-še dUTU-[še]
40 (12) [DINGIR]MEŠ-še ma-a-[ni]
41 (13) [d]⸢UTU⸣-ni pi-e-i-[ni]
42 (14) [mì-i] ⸢ar⸣-hi ú-ru-li-a-[ni]
43 (15) [mì]-i i-na-a-i-[ni]
44 (16) [mì]-i na-a-ra-[a]
45 (17) [a-ú]-i-e ú-lu-⸢li⸣-[e]
Translation:
“(1) For the god Haldi, his (or: the) Lord, Minua, son of Išpuini, erected this stele. (7) Through the greatness of the god Haldi (I am) Minua, (10) son of Išpuini, strong king, great king, (12) king of the Bia lands, lord of Ṭušpa-City.”
((15–27)text is repeated one more time)
(29) Minua says: (as for the one) who destroys this inscription, (31) (as for the one) who damages it, (33) (as for the one) who makes anyone else do these things, (35) [(as for the one) w]ho says: ‘[I] made [it]’, (38) may the god Haldi, the Weather-God, the Sun-God, (and all) the [gods], [anni]hilate him under the sun! … …”
References:
Dinçol, A. & E. Kavaklı. 1978b. “Karahan Köyünde Bulunan Dört Yeni Urartu Yazıtı-Neuere Urartaeische Inschriften aus dem Dorfe Karahan,” Anadolu Araştırmaları 6, 17–32 (22–23 and Plts. 5–6, Karahan 6).
Işık, K., B. Genç, B. Gökçe & R. Kuvanç. 2019. “Inscribed stelae fragments and a stela base recently found at Karahan, eastern Turkey, and the problem of Karahan in Urartian epigraphy,” AJNES 13-2, 100–119 (Karahan frag. 1 and Figs. 3–5).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 253–255, v. 3 p. 177, 179, v. 5 p. 171–173.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006972). (A 5-74)
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006974). (A 5-76)
CTU A 5-74 = CICh 95 = HchI 69 = UKN 107 = KUKN 132
CTU A 5-76 = KUKN 43
Image Sources:
A. Dinçol & E. Kavaklı, 1978b
M. Salvini, 2008
K. Işık et al., 2019
Bora Bilgin, 2024
Karahan (A 5-75)
The round-topped basalt stele was found in 1976 in the village of Karahan, at the northeast tip of Lake Van. It measures 117 cm in height, 59 cm in width, and 27 cm in depth and is now on display in the Van Museum. The same text is repeated twice, though the end of the second copy is broken off.
Transliteration:
1 dhal-di-i-ni-ni
2 uš-ma-a-ši-i-ni
3 dhal-di-i-e
4 e-ú-ri-i-e
5 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-še
6 miš-pu-ú-i-ni-hi-ni-še
7 i-ni pu-lu-si-e
8 ku-ú-gu-ú-ni
9 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-ni
10 miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi
11 MAN tar-a-i-e
12 MAN al-su-i-ni-e
13 MAN KURbi-i-a-i-na-e
14 a-lu-si URUṭu-uš-pa-a URU
15 dhal-di-i-ni-ni
16 uš-ma-a-ši-i-ni
17 dhal-di-i-e
18 e-ú-ri-i-e
19 [mmì]-nu-ú-a-še
20 [miš-pu]-⸢ú-i⸣-ni-hi-ni-še
21 […] x x
Translation:
“(1) Through the protection of the god Haldi, for the god Haldi, his (or: the) Lord, Minua, son of Išpuini, erected this stele. (9) (I am) Minua, son of Išpuini, strong king, great king, (13) king of the Bia lands, lord of Ṭušpa-City. (15) Through the protection of the god Haldi, for the god Haldi, his (or: the) Lord, Minua, son of Išpuini, [erected this stele . . .].”
References:
Dinçol, A. M. & E. Kavaklı. 1978a. “Van bölgesinde bulunmuş yeni Urartu yazıtları / Die neuen Urartaeischen Inschriften aus der Umgebung von Van,” Jahrbuch für kleinasiatische Forschungen Beiheft 1, İstanbul. (23–24 / 63–64 and Plt. 10, Karahan 4).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 253–254, v. 3 p. 178, v. 5 p. 172.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006973).
CTU A 5-75 = KUKN 172c
Image Sources:
A. Dinçol & E. Kavaklı, 1978a
M. Salvini, 2008
Bora Bilgin, 2024
Karahan (A 5-80)
The upper part of a round-topped stele was found in the 19th century in the village of Karahan, at the northeast tip of Lake Van. It measures 81 cm in height, 67 cm in width, and 32 cm in depth and is now in the Istanbul Archaeology Museum. The seven-line inscription is a dedication to the god Šiuini.
Transliteration:
1 dši-i-ú-i-ni-e mmì-nu-a-še
2 miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-e-še
3 i-ni NA4pu-lu-si ku-gu-ú-ni
4 ma-a-ni-ni dši-i-ú-i-ni bi-di-ni
5 mmì-nu-a miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-e
6 mi-nu-uš-pu-ú-a mmì-nu-a-hi-ni-e
7 ul-gu-ú-še pi-ṣu-ú-še al-su-i-še-e
Translation:
“(1) For the god Šiuini, Minua, son of Išpuini, erected this stele. (4) On behalf of the god Šiuini, for Minua, son of Išpuini, (and) for Inušpua, son of Minua, may there be life, joy and greatness.”
References:
Işık, K., B. Genç, B. Gökçe & R. Kuvanç. 2019. “Inscribed stelae fragments and a stela base recently found at Karahan, eastern Turkey, and the problem of Karahan in Urartian epigraphy,” AJNES 13-2, 100–119 (Fig. 7).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 257, v. 3 p. 182, v. 5 p. 175.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006978).
CTU A 5-80 = CICh 85 = HchI 15 = UKN 95 = KUKN 121
Image Sources:
M. Salvini, 2008
K. Işık et al., 2019
Karahan (A 5-95)
The stele fragment was found in 1898/99 by E. Lehmann in front of a private house in the village of Karahan, at the northeastern tip of Lake Van. It has been lost since then and is known only from a copy.
Transliteration:
1 […]-hi-⸢ni?⸣
2 […]
3 […] ⸢ni⸣-[…]
4 [mmì]-i-nu-ú-a-⸢ni⸣
5 [miš]-pu-ú-i-ni-e-[hi]
6 […] a-i[…]
7 […] i […]
Translation:
“ … of(?) Minua, son of Išpuini …”
References:
Lehmann-Haupt, C. F. 1928–1935. Corpus Inscriptionum Chaldicarum, Berlin-Leipzig (No. 103 and Plt. LVIII).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 265–266, v. 3 p. 190, v. 5 p. 182.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006993).
CTU A 5-95 = CICh 103 = HchI 70 = UKN 120 = KUKN 142
Image Sources:
C. F. Lehmann-Haupt, 1928-35
Karahan (A 5-103?)
The basalt fragment, belonging to the upper part of a round-topped stele, was found in 2017 during a survey by the Van Museum in the yard of a private house in Karahan. The fragment measures 1 m in height, 59 cm in width, and 20 cm in thickness and is inscribed on the front face. The first 12 lines of the 20-line inscription contain the complete text, which repeats from line 13, missing the last four lines at the broken bottom.
Transliteration (Işık et al., 2019):
1 dhal-di-i-ni-ni
2 uš-ma-a-ši-i-ni
3 dUTU-ni-e mmì-nu-a-še
4 miš-pu-ú-i-ni-hi-ni-še
5 i-ni pu-lu-si-e
6 ku-ú-gu-ú-ni
7 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-ni
8 miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi
9 MAN tar-a-i-e
10 MAN al-su-i-ni-ú
11 MAN KURbi-i-a-i-na-e
12 a-lu-si URUṭu-uš-pa-a URU
13 dhal-di-i-ni-ni
14 uš-ma-a-ši-i-ni
15 dUTU-ni-e mmì-nu-a-še
16 miš-pu-ú-i-ni-hi-ni-še
17 i-ni pu-lu-si-e
18 ku-ú-gu-ú-ni
19 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-ni
20 [miš-pu-ú-i-ni]-e-[hi]
Translation (Işık et al., 2019):
“(1) Thanks to the protection of Haldi, Minua, son of Ishpuini, erected this stela for the Sun God. (7) (I am) Minua, son of Ishpuini, powerful king, great king, king of Biainili, lord of the city of Tušpa.”
(Text is repeated one more time)
References:
Işık, K., B. Genç, B. Gökçe & R. Kuvanç. 2019. “Inscribed stelae fragments and a stela base recently found at Karahan, eastern Turkey, and the problem of Karahan in Urartian epigraphy,” AJNES 13-2, 100–119 (Karahan frag. 12, Figs. 16–17).
Image Sources:
Bora Bilgin, 2024
Karahan (A 5-104?)
A basalt fragment reworked into a ram-shaped gravestone, common in the area during medieval times, was found in 2017 during a survey by the Van Museum near a barn in Karahan. The fragment measures 74 cm in height, 81 cm in width, and 38 cm in depth. The badly damaged inscription contains a curse formula and belongs to the bottom part of a stele. It has been transferred to the Van Museum. Due to similarities with curse formulas in inscriptions of Minua (A 5-17 and A 5-18), it is suspected to date to his reign.
Transliteration (Işık et al., 2019):
1. [x xxxxx ]⸢li?⸣ [x]
2. [x xxxxx ]⸢la?⸣ [x]
3. [x xxxxxxx]
4. [x xxxxxxx]
5. [x xxxxxxx]
6. [x xxxxxxx]
7. [ti]-ni [te-er-di-la-ni a-l]u–še
8. [ú]-la-[a ú-e-si-du]-⸢li-e⸣
9. [a]-lu-še ú-[i-e šú-hi ba-at-qi-a]-ni
10. ⸢nu⸣-ú-lu-[uš-tú]-ú-i-ni-ni
11. [d]hal-di-[i-še] e-ú-e DINGIRMEŠ-[a?-še]
12. [p]a-ri-e ⸢e-si⸣-i-ni te-la-a-[ni]
Translation:
“… … (as its) name. (As for the one) who … who does not re-establish it from anew, let the god Haldi and (all) the gods … to this place.”
References:
Işık, K., B. Genç, B. Gökçe & R. Kuvanç. 2019. “Inscribed stelae fragments and a stela base recently found at Karahan, eastern Turkey, and the problem of Karahan in Urartian epigraphy,” AJNES 13-2, 100–119 (Karahan frag. 14, Figs. 20–21).
Image Sources:
K. Işık et al., 2019
Karahan (A 18-17?)
A basalt stele fragment was found in 2017 during a survey by the Van Museum in Karahan, used as a cornerstone in the foundation wall of a house. The fragment measures 86 cm high, 68 cm wide, and 38 cm thick. The five-line inscription belongs to the ending of a text and mentions a dedication to the god named Anapša. Elsewhere, this deity’s name is only attested in the Meher Kapı inscription(A 3-1).
Transliteration (after Işık et al., 2019):
1ʹ [… …]
2ʹ ⸢te⸣-ru-[ni ar-di-še]
3ʹ qu-du-ú-[la-a-ni]
4ʹ šú-hi-na-a-ṣi-[i-e]
5ʹ UDU dʾa-na-ap-šá-[e]
6ʹ ur-pu-ú-li-i-⸢ni⸣
Translation (Işık et al., 2019):
“………..(he) established as an order/ritual on the occasion of new constructions (?), a sheep should be slaughtered (sacrificed) for God Anapša.”
References:
Işık, K., B. Genç, B. Gökçe & R. Kuvanç. 2019. “Inscribed stelae fragments and a stela base recently found at Karahan, eastern Turkey, and the problem of Karahan in Urartian epigraphy,” AJNES 13-2, 100–119.
Image Sources:
K. Işık et al., 2019