Körzüt, Muradiye and Van Kalesi (A 5-2A–F) An inscription of King Minua, celebrating successful campaigns into the lands of Erkuahi and Etiuni and the conquest of the city of Luhiuni, is known from multiple copies. At least two of these copies (A and B) were inscribed on multiple rectangular blocks on the left and right … Read more
Kalecik (A 2-1) The two-line inscription, with identical content on each line, is carved on a cylindrical stone (a column base?). It was seen and copied by F. E. Schulz in the church of Aralesk (Lesk), now Kalecik, about 5 km north of Van, but its whereabouts are not known today. The inscription dates to … Read more
Taşköprü (A 9-5) The rock inscription is located less than a meter above the current ground level in a rocky ravine behind the village of Taşköprü, which lies approximately 500 meters west of the southern tip of Lake Çıldır. The eight-line inscription is carved on a flattened surface 26.5 cm high and 82.5 cm wide. … Read more
➥ Kef Kalesi Inscriptions Kef Kalesi (Kef Fortress) was established on a hill 2,200 meters high, located behind the town of Adilcevaz, on the northern shore of Lake Van. It stands on the southwestern slopes of Mount Süphan, which was considered sacred by the Urartians. The fortress is about 550 meters above the shore, overlooks … Read more
Sardursburg (A 1-1A–F) Six identical inscriptions written in the Assyrian language date to the reign of Sarduri I, making them the earliest dated inscriptions of the Urartian Kingdom. They are carved into the walls of the so-called Sardursburg (locally known as Sardur Burcu or Madır Burcu), which was likely a pier structure situated at the … Read more
Stele from Surp Pogos Church (A 3-4) The stele was formerly inserted into the wall of the Armenian church of Surb Pogos in Van, but its current whereabouts are unknown. The same text is inscribed twice on the front and back, the beginning of which has been lost at the broken top section. The first … Read more
