Anatolian Civilizations and Historical Sites - TEDA

ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATIONS:10x19 antik kentler 8/1/11 10:50 AM Sayfa
have been the place for burning corpses. Rock stairs lead to this chamber
known as crematorium where corpses are cremated. In the grave chamber,
horizontal niches have been engraved extending along the eastern, western
and northern walls. Inside of these niches were with 78 rounded pedestal
cavities for placing the jars known as urnes. This shows us that the Urartus
had both of the traditions; burying their dead, as well as cremation and
preservation of the ashes. The Van Castle was also called the upper city.
The lower city used to be situated in the north; however, it was relocated
to the south during the Ottoman Period. The architectural structures here
and the scenery of Lake Van present an unforgettable picture. Van Castle
was used during the Ottoman Empire, after repeated repairs. The Süleyman
Mosque, with only its minaret surviving today, stands out as if bearing
witness. It is known that inside the two niches engraved in stone to the
north east of the castle-one big, and one small-there are stelai which tell of
the deeds of the Urartian King Sarduri II. On the platform before the niches
was the altar where the sacrifices were slaughtered and the channels which
helped pour the blood of the sacrifice. Known as ‘Anal› K›z’ among the
public, this place is considered sacred even today.
Across this are the cupola of Sheikh Abdurrahman Gazi, who was the
savior of Van during the Safavid siege, and a historical cemetery.
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