Centuries-old cistern contributes to excavation

VAN - Anadolu Agency

Excavations at Van’s Hoşap Castle have unearthed a 400-year-old cistern, contributing to research there. AA Photo

Excavation and restoration works in Van’s Hoşap Castle have unearthed a 400-year-old cistern in a castle that has already attracted attention from tourists.

Mehmet Top, the head of the excavation team and a professor at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, said the cistern could be reached through stairs in the castle.

He said this year’s works focused on the seraglio and the view terrace in the northeast of the castle. The excavation team worked to unearth the castle’s upper layers, an exit road, pipes and ceramic pieces.

Top said the cistern, which is located by a staircase leading from a 160-centimeter corridor, was the most important find in the castle so far, however. “In this way, we have shed light on how people met the need for water in the castle,” Top said.

The centuries-old cistern aided recent excavations, as well. Top explained the cistern’s use as a water depot this year solved water shortages the excavators had faced while working in the castle in previous years. “We carried water by tankers and filled the cistern,” he said. “It is a great opportunity for us. The cistern contributed to excavation works.”