Mehmet Işıklı

During archaeological excavations in Van's Tuşba district, a basalt stone statue weighing nearly one ton, dating back to the Urartian period, was uncovered in an area that was subjected to a rescue excavation last year.

Excavations at Ayanis Castle in Türkiye's Eastern Anatolian province of Van have yielded fresh archaeological discoveries, including three bronze shields and a helmet dating back 2,700 years.

The artifacts were uncovered during this year's leg of a 36-year excavation led by Mehmet Işıklı of Atatürk University's Archaeology Department.

Traces of a settlement dating back about 6,000 years have been found during excavations at Değirmenler Mound in the eastern province of Erzurum.

Starting on July 1, the two-month excavation in the area has uncovered settlement layers, human and animal bones, and ceramics, which are being analyzed.

Pieces that have fallen from ornaments carved on big stones 2,700 years ago in the Ayanis Castle, built by the Urartian King Rusa II on a hill overlooking the Lake Van, are being attached to their original places with special materials.