Teishebaini
Alternative name | Karmir Blur |
---|---|
Location | Yerevan, Armenia |
Coordinates | 40°09′14″N 44°27′12″E / 40.153888°N 44.453366°E |
Type | city, palace, and citadel |
Area | 44.5 ha (110 acres) |
Height | 901 metres (2,955 ft) |
History | |
Builder | Rusa II |
Founded | Between 650 and 600 BC |
Abandoned | 585 BC |
Site notes | |
Excavation dates | 1939-? |
Condition | Ruins (portions of walls remain) |
Public access | Yes |
Website | Erebuni Historical & Archaeological Reserve: Teishebaini Citadel |
Teishebaini (also Teshebani, modern Karmir Blur (
History
The city of Teishebaini was built by
Agriculture was essential to the city, as was raising livestock. The Urartians built massive water canals, some of which are still in use to this day. Archaeological excavations have shown that lentils, hemp, peas, sesame, wheat, and barley were some of the grains that were grown in the area, as well as grapes and plums. The grape seeds that had been found were examined further and it revealed that twelve varieties of grape were grown in the surrounding area of Teishebaini during this time. All of these ancient varieties and more are still grown to this day in modern Armenia. Smaller ceramic vessels were also found in excavations and are known to have been used in brewing beer made from barley. Other much larger vessels were used for storing foods and wine. Small circular markings on the sides of the containers near the top indicated the amount that could be stored inside. The vessels were usually buried half-way into the soil which naturally kept foods cool.
The site was discovered in 1939 after being buried for more than two and a half millennia. A cuneiform inscription had been found three years earlier that led to the discovery of the ancient city. It read, 'Rusa Argishti-hini' which translates to "Rusa, son of Argishti" also known as Rusa II. Another set of cuneiform inscriptions were found written upon a bronze belt and bronze bolt, both bearing the words "Rusa Argishti, fortress of the city of Teishebaini." The inscriptions helped date the site and tell who its builder was. In 1941 an ivory statuette of the god Teisheba was found within the citadel. The excavations here are considered one of the most important archaeological discoveries and findings in the Middle East, the Near East and Asia Minor. Some of the findings include carved
Archaeological evidence shows that the city of Teishebaini was destroyed by fire sometime around the beginning of the 6th century BC. Numerous fragments of cloth, rope, and other items such as seeds have been found charred from the city's destruction. It is thought that Teishebaini was attacked during the night since numerous human remains have been found, and rooms within the buildings still had everything in them as if the people living within the city's walls had no chance to flee. During the excavations, skeletons were found holding objects of gold in their hands. It is theorized that when the city was set on fire, that residents of the city began either to loot or save their own possessions from the burning buildings as the city was under attack.
Gallery
-
Foundations of ancient towns near Teishebaini (Karmir Blur in the distance)
-
The ancient walls of Teishebaini at Karmir Blur (stone at the bottom, mud-brick at the top)
-
View of Karmir Blur from on top of the hill
-
Fragment of a bronze helmet discovered during excavations at Karmir Blur depicting the "tree of life"
Notes
- ^ Sir Banister Fletcher's a History of Architecture - Page 74 by Sir Banister Fletcher
- ^ Teishebaini Elevation and Position
- ^ Ian Lindsay and Adam T. Smith, A History of Archaeology in the Republic of Armenia, Journal of Field Archaeology, Vol. 31, No. 2, Summer, 2006:173.
- Yerevan, Armenia: Matit Graphic Design Studio
References
- Chahin, Mack (2001), The Kingdom of Armenia: New Edition (Caucasus World), ISBN 0-7007-1452-9
- Diakonoff, Igor (1988), The Pre-History of the Armenian People, ISBN 0-88206-039-2
- Piotrovskii, Boris (1969), The Ancient Civilization of Urartu, ISBN 0-402-10171-5