Fortress of Ayanis

Ayanis (Turkish: Ayanis Kalesi) is an Urartian archaeological site close to lake Van, Turkey. It was originally built as a fortress by Urartian king Rusa II and named after him Rusahinili Eidurukai ("The City of Rusa in front of Mount Eiduru"). The site was occupied during the Iron Age II period and then again in the Middle Ages between the tenth and eleventh century.

History

Ayanis was the last fortress built by Urartian king Rusa II around 673/72 BC. It was then known under the name Rusahinili Eidurukai ("The City of Rusa in front of Mount Eiduru") according to an inscription found in front of the monumental gate (Mount Eiduru can be identified with the nearby Mount Süphan).

Between 653 and 650 BC, an earthquake destroyed the fortress and the outer town, with additional destruction caused by the fires from the furnaces within the settlement.

The site was again occupied during the Middle Ages between the tenth and eleventh centuries CE.

Archaeology

Exploration of the site started in 1989 after which excavations started. Parts of the temple area are supposed to be made available to visitors under the "Heritage for the Future" project.