During the excavations that started this year at Çavuştepe Castle in Gürpınar district, where important findings that shed light on history are unearthed every year, a discovery that will shed light on the burial tradition of the Urartians was made. Excavations carried out in Çavuştepe Castle, built by Urartian King II. Sarduri, and the necropolis area in the north continue to unravel the mysterious secrets of history.
A New Look at Burial Tradition
One of the striking findings of this year’s excavations, led by Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Faculty of Letters, Archeology Department Head Prof. Dr. Rafet Cavusoglu, was the coexistence of different burial customs in the necropolis. In the area where 4 different burial methods were previously encountered, a unique practice of cremating the body and leaving the ashes in a coffin was encountered in the excavations carried out this year.
Prof. Dr. Rafet Cavusoglu’s Statements
Prof. Dr. Çavuşoğlu stated that the excavations in Çavuştepe Castle and the necropolis began with the permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. He emphasized that there were different types of burials in the necropolis and that this year’s work hosted important discoveries.
An Important Finding Was Reached
Çavuşoğlu stated that the excavation team came across a surprising finding and that the cremation of the body and leaving it in a coffin grave was a first in the burial tradition. He stated that this discovery was of great archaeological importance.
Fortification Wall and Cavustepe Castle
Stating that they have not yet been able to solve the mystery of the oval city wall around the necropolis during the excavations, Çavuşoğlu said that they are investigating the purpose of this city wall. He also said that Çavuştepe Castle constitutes the peak point of Urartu and the burials here continue from the royal period.
