Excavation reveals cellar from the Urartu civilisation

Excavations in the Ayanis village of Van province have resulted with the discovery of a cellar which is believed to have belonged to the Urartu king Rusa II. The cellar consists of thirty massive earthenware jars. Carried out jointly by Ege University (Turkey) and Stonny Brook and Boston Universities (US), the excavation has been going on for 16 years now. Dr. Özlem Çevik, who is in charge of the excavations, said that approximately 16% of all planned excavations have now been completed and that the new discovery is “quite significant”.   “Writings on the pots make it clear that these jars contain dry food and liquids like wine, too. It has been quite a surprise for us – and a very important find.”�