Van Fortress (Tushpa) — East Bastion
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Iron Age to Classical (700 BCE–300 CE)·Iron Age fortified culture·🇹🇷 Van, Van Fortress, Turkey
About
About Van Fortress (Tushpa) — East Bastion
Van Fortress (Tushpa) — East Bastion in Van, Van Fortress, Turkey is a Iron Age to Classical (700 BCE–300 CE) fortress attributed to Iron Age fortified culture. Systematic survey and coring document stratified deposits. The site includes a principal necropolis and domestic quarter. Dimensions 203m × 322m; area 13.4 ha. Excavation excavated; condition buried. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Iron Age fortified culture fortress with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 1750 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function and labor organization
- 02Chronology and phasing
Theories
- 01Elite residence hypothesis
- 02Ceremonial centre
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 600 BCE
- Period
- Iron Age to Classical (700 BCE–300 CE)
- Culture
- Iron Age fortified culture
- Purpose
- Fortified citadel and control point
- Rediscovered
- 1917
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 600 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 1051 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1884
Modern rediscovery and excavation
c. 1456 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
38.5000° N · 43.3400° E · 1750 m · 3 mapped features
Principal Monument
structurePrincipal Monument at Van Fortress (Tushpa) — East Bastion — structure with stratified deposits
38.4999° N · 43.3392° EAncillary Complex
complexAncillary Complex at Van Fortress (Tushpa) — East Bastion — complex with stratified deposits
38.5006° N · 43.3415° EOutlier Feature
outlierOutlier Feature at Van Fortress (Tushpa) — East Bastion — outlier with stratified deposits
38.4992° N · 43.3384° E