Some considerations on the crisis and reconstruction of the Urartian Kingdom in the Ararat Plain
Some considerations on the crisis and reconstruction of the Urartian Kingdom in the Ararat Plain

Author(s): Mateusz Iskra
Subject(s): Archaeology
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: Urartu; Ararat Plain; Iron Age; Rusa II; earthquake
Summary/Abstract: The period between the end of 8th and first half of 7th century BC was a testing time for the political unity and administration efficiency of the Urartian Kingdom. Lost wars with Assyria accompanied by Cimmerian raids and natural disasters are reflected in decreasing of epigraphic sources and destruction layers in several main sites. Most probably, the Ararat Plain was one of the regions that severely suffered during this period. Since the region rich with arable land was particularly important for the Urartian economy the main efforts of Rusa II conducted during his reconstruction of the kingdom were put into rebuilt and resettled the entire area. The consequences of this efforts can be visible in settlement system, pottery tradition and burial custom of inhabitants of the Ararat Plain.

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