Tuspa - (Culture and History of the Ancient Near East) by Erkan Konyar & Genç Bülent (Hardcover)

About the Book

The Urartians, who established a state in the mountainous region of Anatolia beyond the Euphrates in the 1st millennium BC, left their mark with numerous firsts in the region. Their capital, Tuspa (Tushpa), became the initial site where these innovations took place. From the first inscriptions to monumental architectural works and royal tombs, this book will allow you to explore the character of an Iron Age capital in the East.

Book Synopsis

Tuspa (Tushpa), the capital of the Urartians who established their state on the Eastern Anatolian High Plateau in the 9th century BC, provides invaluable material remains--monuments and inscriptions--that help us understand this ancient civilization. This book presents the results of new research conducted between 2010 and 2019, building on nearly 170 years of ongoing studies in this ancient city. Tushpa, the earliest example of a new settlement model developed by Assyria's perennial enemy, occupies a strategic position on the high plateau north of the Taurus Mountains. Through this book, you will gain insight into the settlement policies of the Urartians, who built their cities in plains surrounded by impassable mountains. These policies are reflected in their inscriptions, architectural styles, and the intricate weaving of stone walls.

About the Author

Erkan Konyar focused his studies on the Early Iron Age of Eastern Anatolia, the Urartian and Iranian Iron Age. He conducted the Tuspa excavations for ten seasons from 2010 to 2019.

Bülent Genç is a scholar in the Mardin Artuklu University. He has been conducting research on the archaeology of the Near East, particularly Mesopotamia and Anatolia.