 Temple in Altıntepe | |
  Altıntepe Shown within Turkey | |
| Location | Turkey |
|---|---|
| Region | Erzincan Province |
| Coordinates | 39°41′47″N39°38′48″E / 39.69639°N 39.64667°E /39.69639; 39.64667 |
| Type | Settlement |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | In ruins |
Altıntepe (Turkish for "golden hill") orYerez (Armenian:Երեզ) is anUrartian fortress and templearchaeological site dating from the 9th to 7th century BCE. It is located on a small hill overlooking theEuphrates River in theÜzümlü district ofErzincan Province,Turkey.
Altıntepe is located at the 12th kilometre on the highway fromErzincan toErzurum. The site was discovered in 1938 during the construction of a nearby railway line. The remains are situated on a volcanic hill 60 m high. During excavations undertaken between 1959 and 1968 and led by Professor Dr.Tahsin Özgüç, a fortified settlement from the Urartian period was found. In the excavated area a temple or palace, a great hall, a warehouse, city walls, various rooms, and three subterranean chamber tombs on the south side of the hill were found. After a long gap, excavations were restarted in 2003 by the decision of theCouncil of Ministers, under the leadership of Professor Dr.Mehmet Karaosmanoğlu.
The hill was a significant center for theByzantine Empire and has a church with threenaves andmosaic floors. The church was built on a natural terrace and has a rectangular floor plan. The colorful mosaic floors with various geometric shapes and figures of plants and animals are unique to the region.[1]
Cities and fortresses ofUrartu (Kingdom of Van) | ||
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1 First capital city until 832 B.C.2 Second capital city from 832 B.C. | ||
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