Turkish scientists have discovered an ancient “ghost castle” in an unexpected location: atop a rugged, inaccessible mountain peak, standing 2,500 meters high.
A team of archaeologists from Van Yüzüncü Yıl University reported that they unearthed the remains of the ghost castle, buried on the summit of a mountain in eastern Van Province, Turkey. The design, materials, and location of the castle confirm that it belonged to the Urartian Kingdom, also known as the ancient Kingdom of Van, a powerful empire that dominated this region centuries before Christ.
According to Ancient Origins, the excavations have just begun, so it is too early to determine the scale of the castle, but it is clear that it is quite magnificent with its sturdy walls made of limestone and sandstone. They have unearthed the remnants of a water reservoir with a capacity of 105,000 liters, which may reflect the scale of the castle and the large number of people who once lived within its walls.
Excavation site at the summit of a 2,500-meter high mountain – Photo: Van Yüzüncü Yıl University
The castle dates back 2,800 years and appears to have been used for many centuries, even being reused during the Medieval period.
The Urartian civilization – the ancient Urartian Empire – was located in a fertile area, primarily due to a lush plateau nestled among rugged mountains, with abundant natural water sources. This region also housed numerous precious metal mines containing gold, silver, copper, lead, and iron, allowing its inhabitants to live comfortably and prosperously for centuries.
This land was also situated near ancient trade routes. With many attractive products for trade, the people of this kingdom became increasingly wealthy and prosperous. They were famous for their massive castles with incredible architecture, built high on rocky peaks, serving as strong fortresses to protect the kingdom.
However, continuous wars waged by various empires seeking this rich land led to the downfall of the Urartian civilization around 590 BC, at the hands of unknown conquerors.
