Ancient Urartian storage containers found in Van

Excavation work has been continuing on Van's Çavu?tepe Castle, which dates back to the Urartian era and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the province. One of the recent discoveries in the castle is food from storages called 'pithos' Ancient storage containers, known as "pithos," have been unearthed during excavations in the Çavu?tepe Castle in the eastern province of Van.

Cereals, butter and wine were kept in the containers, which date back to 2,800 years ago. 

Located in the Gülp?nar district, 20 kilometers away from the city center, the castle was built in the heyday of the Urartian Kingdom by the Urartian King Sardur II. 

The walls of the castle have survived, together with its cisterns and pioneer sewer systems, temples and palace structures. It is one of the most popular places in the province for tourists. 

Excavations in the castle have been headed by Yüzüncü Y?l University Archaeology Department Professor Rafet Çavu?o?lu. 

Çavu?o?lu said that after a 30-year hiatus, archaeological work restarted on the castle in 2014. 

Istanbul University carried out excavations on the castle between 1961 and 1964, he said, adding that most of the unearthed artifacts had received damage and melted because of wind, rain and snow. "In the first stage, we aim to protect these artifacts," he said. 

He said this year's excavations aimed at cleaning the southern and northern corridors and storages. "We plastered the adobe walls of the Irmusini Temple in the castle and the corridor with mud. The aim of this work is to prevent the melting of the adobe walls of the conserved places. Our work for conservation will continue in the next years, too."

Çavu?o?lu said the...