Ancient fortress discovered in Turkey

In eastern Turkey, near the village of Mescidli in the province of Muş, archaeologist Melik Mirbey Ömeroğlu identified a large fortress using satellite images. The structure covers about 120,000 square meters, roughly the size of 17 football fields, and is among the largest fortified sites known in the region.

Previously mistaken for natural formations

The fortress was previously thought to be natural rock formations. Ömeroğlu's field verification confirmed the site's existence, revealing that it had been overlooked due to its integration with the surrounding landscape.

Dating back to the Iron Age

According to the researcher, the fortress dates back to the beginning of the Iron Age, during the early times of the Urartu kingdom. Ömeroğlu suggests it could be Arzashkun, the royal city of King Arame, whose location has long been unknown.

Need for further excavation

As noted in the inventory sheet Kültür Envanteri, only excavations can date the site and confirm its historical link to Arzashkun. The current evidence is not yet definitive, and more research is required to establish its significance.

Site appears fragmented on the ground

On the ground, the remains of the fortress appeared scattered, with only isolated sections of walls and scattered stones visible. These remnants are difficult to distinguish from the surrounding landscape, making the site challenging to identify without aerial views.

Satellite images reveal structured layout

From above, satellite images showed regular lines and shapes that did not match natural topography. Ömeroğlu used these images to reconstruct a perimeter of approximately 1.4 kilometers, based on the visible remains at the site.