Altintepe — Erzincan Urartian Citadel
Urartian (850–600 BCE) Argishti II·Urartian·🇹🇷 Erzincan Province, Turkey
About
About Altintepe — Erzincan Urartian Citadel
Altintepe — Erzincan Urartian Citadel in Erzincan Province, Turkey is a Urartian (850–600 BCE) Argishti II fortress attributed to Urartian. Hilltop citadel with Apadana hall and tombs with bronzes and ivories. Akurgal Altintepe Apadana 44 × 25 m with 6 columns and bronze cauldrons.
Why it mattersKey Urartian hill site illustrating Anatolian settlement
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Hellenistic urbanism
- 02Lycian federation cult
Theories
- 01Mountain defensive settlement
- 02Sanctuary federation
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 800 BCE
- Period
- Urartian (850–600 BCE) Argishti II
- Culture
- Urartian
- Purpose
- Hilltop citadel with Apadana hall and tombs with bronzes and ivories
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 800 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1900 CE
Systematic survey
On the ground
Structures & features
39.6900° N · 39.6500° E · 1200 m · 3 mapped features
Altintepe — Erzincan Urartian Citadel — Hilltop Citadel
citadelHilltop fortified citadel
39.6901° N · 39.6501° EAltintepe — Erzincan Urartian Citadel — Lower Fort Walls
wallsLower fortification circuit
39.6898° N · 39.6501° EAltintepe — Erzincan Urartian Citadel — Cistern Tower
cisternWater cistern and tower
39.6904° N · 39.6498° E