334 historical artifacts believed to belong to Urartu period seized in Van

VAN

Police have seized 334 pieces of historical artifacts believed to have belonged to the Urartu period in the eastern province of Van and detained two people in the operation, Demirören News Agency reported on Dec. 30.

The operation came after Van police received intelligence that the suspects had gotten hold of the relevant artifacts and were in a search to find buyers.

Following technical and physical surveillance, police stopped a car carrying the two suspects in the Tuşba district. In the car 25 potteries, one bracelet, 28 bronze rings, and 271 pieces of jewelry, and nine other objects were found.

The police detained two people linked to the incident, while widening the scope of the investigation.

Urartu, also known as the Kingdom of Urartu or the Kingdom of Van, was a civilization which developed in the Bronze and Iron Age of ancient Armenia, eastern Turkey, and northwestern Iran from the 9th century BC.

Controlling territories through military might and the construction of fortresses, the kingdom boasted a lively production in the arts, especially metalwork. Surviving only two centuries, the kingdom mysteriously disappeared in the 6th century BC and was only rediscovered as a distinct and recognizable ancient culture by excavations carried out in the 19th century.