Prehistoric Asia

Ancient symbols carved into stone at an archaeological site in Turkey tell the story of a devastating comet impact that triggered a mini ice age more than 13,000 years ago, scientists believe.
Evidence from the carvings, made on a pillar known as the Vulture Stone, suggests that a swarm of comet fragments hit the Earth in around 11000 BC.

The motifs used in the Urartian civilization can now be seen in jewelry painstakingly produced in Van, the former center of the civilization Long-forgotten motifs and figures from the Urartian civilization, which was centered on the eastern province of Van more than 2,000 years ago, are now being used in silver jewelry using a number of ancient techniques.

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.

Excavation and restoration works at the Ho?ap Castle in the eastern province of Van's Gürp?nar district, have revealed 250-year-old cheese. 

Works have been carried out in the castle, which was built in the 16th century on the foundation of an Urartian castle and served as a palace for many years, by a team of people from Van Yüzüncü Y?l University's department of Art History. 

After 2700 years the walls of Urartu Castle have been unearthed in the Ayanis neighborhood of the eastern province of Van. 

Excavations at the Urartu Castle site, situated 38 kilometers from Van, have been ongoing for 25 years, leading to new discoveries every day. After the discovery of the temple, this year the walls, a defining part of the castle, have been unearthed. 

Two 2,800-year-old Urartian-era stelas found in the Patnos Brigade Command campus in the eastern province of Van have been transported to the Van Museum. 

A research assistant at the Department of Archaeology in the Faculty of Letters at ?zmir's Aegean University has conducted studies on the reproduction of ancient Urartian red polished pottery, a kind of Urartian ceramic that looked like metallic potteries and were distinctive in color, surface treatment and firing. 

A trade seal dating back to the Urartian era has been unearthed during archaeological excavations at the Tepeköy mound in the eastern province of Mu?'s Varto district.

Ahlat Museum Director Ziya K?l?nç said 18 artifacts had been unearthed in the excavations that ended on Dec. 29, 2014.