Arzashkun
Arzashkun
Iron Age Urartian (880–780 BCE)·Urartian Early Kingdom·🇹🇷 Muș Province, Malazgirt, Turkey
About
About Arzashkun
Arzashkun in Muș Province, Malazgirt, Turkey is a Iron Age Urartian (880–780 BCE) ancient-city of Urartian Early Kingdom tradition. Hypothetical capital of Arame of Urartu, sought near Lake Van north. 880 BCE, the site forms a stratified mound/karst city mound 400×300 m, citadel 120×100 m, fortification 2 km circuit. Excavations since the mid-20th c. expose mudbrick on stone socle, timber-laced walls, urartian pottery architecture with diagnostic ceramics, lithics and administrative finds.
Archaeobotany and radiocarbon anchor the sequence, informing regional Urartian Early Kingdom networks across the Muș Province. Threats include agricultural encroachment, erosion, unexcavated; research continues on Urartian Early Kingdom chronology.
Why it mattersType-site for Urartian Early Kingdom Iron Age Urartian (880–780 BCE) in Muș Province, Malazgirt; key for chronology, technology and interaction.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology of Urartian Early Kingdom levels?
- 02Function of extramural cemetery?
Theories
- 01Demic diffusion vs local adoption
- 02Ritual aggregation centre
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.880 BCE
- Period
- Iron Age Urartian (880–780 BCE)
- Culture
- Urartian Early Kingdom
- Purpose
- Hypothetical capital of Arame of Urartu, sought near Lake Van north
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.880 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation
c.1200 BCE
Major expansion / fortification phase
20th c.
Systematic excavation begins
On the ground
Structures & features
38.5800° N · 42.5800° E · 1380 m · 3 mapped features
Arzashkun — Central Mound
tellCentral mound with stratified architecture Levels I–IV
38.5804° N · 42.5805° EArzashkun — Lower Town Workshop
workshopWorkshop/midden with pottery, slag or lithics
38.5794° N · 42.5794° EArzashkun — Cemetery/Gate
cemeteryExtramural cemetery or gate area
38.5802° N · 42.5792° E