Danismaz, Harun

Palu Kalesi is a fortress site situated in modern Elazig province. In the Middle Iron Age, this region was the western borderland of the Urartian Kingdom and the primary contact zone where political and cultural relations transpired between the Urartu and the neighbouring Neo-Hittite kingdoms. The site was also a strategically crucial military post that provided logistic support for the Urartian armies during their western expeditions. The fortress was built as a provincial centre shortly after the foundation of the Urartian Kingdom, and the settlement lasted for a long time until the fall of the kingdom. This study presents previously unrecognised archaeological remains, which were identified during our recent investigations at Palu Fortress. Our survey of the site revealed that the Middle Iron Age citadel consisted of two sectors, and the Lower Citadel was enclosed by sturdy fortifications and terrace walls reinforced with bastions. Moreover, while Urartian rock signs were already recorded at Palu, our investigations documented previously unknown rock signs at the site. In addition, other previously unrecognised features dating to the post-Urartian periods were identified by our recent investigations, including five single-roomed rock-cut tombs and two stepped rock-cut tunnels. To better understand the relationship of the archaeological features at the site, a topographic map of Palu Fortress was drawn and visible archaeological remains dated to the Urartian and post-Urartian periods were marked on this map. In addition, the multi-roomed tombs of the Urartian period were scanned using Lidar sensors, and Lidar data were used to generate 3D models and rectified plans of the tombs. Finally, a preliminary virtual 3D reconstruction of the Urartian period fortifications was generated on the basis of recently discovered remains.

İncele

Danismaz, Harun; Köroglu, Kemalettin

Solhan Kalesi [Solhan Fortress] lies at the western tip of the Solhan Plain from which it derives its name. The fortress site was discovered in 2019 during surveys. Drywall fortifications reinforced with bastions and foundations from various buildings inside the fortification walls have been documented at the site. Ceramics and slag found at Solhan Fortress indicate that the site may have been a tribal center in the Iron Age. However, the architectural features of the fortress, especially the fortifications with bastions, are notably different from other Iron Age sites in the region. Surface finds do not include painted or glazed ceramics from the Medieval Period. Current findings indicate Solhan Fortress to have been inhabited for a long period from the Middle Iron Age to the Medieval Period.

AtıfWoS1

İncele

Koroglu, Kemalettin; Danismaz, Harun

Stepped rock-cut tunnels are among the most interesting remains at many fortresses in Eastern Anatolia. The construction of these tunnels, which are cut deep into rock surfaces up to a length of 350 m, must have been at least as difficult as that of the fortification walls and expertise would have been required. Stepped rock-cut tunnels and associated fortresses in Eastern Anatolia have not so far been evaluated as a whole. The stepped rock tunnels in Eastern Anatolia have been accepted as one of the basic criteria indicating the Urartian period since the beginning of the 20th century. In this study, we first consider the types of stepped rock-cut tunnels in Eastern Anatolia, the purposes of their construction, and their distribution. We then discuss their dating and our interpretation of the period of their arrival in the region of Eastern Anatolia.

AtıfWoS7·OpenAlex4

İncele