Archaeologists are continuing to explore the Urartian Haldi temple at Ayanis Castle near Lake Van. Associated with King Rusa II (685–639 BCE), the temple has a golden-calcite floor and andesite walls decorated with stone-inlaid motifs of a lion, bull, eagle and human figure. Bronze shields and helmets were found as offerings. The video interprets the motifs as an echo of Ezekiel's vision, argues that Haldi is linked to Orion, and reads cuneiform cut over older damage as evidence of an earlier phase.
Video argues for an Orion-Haldi link at the Ayanis temple
TürkiyeExcavation
Key facts
- Ayanis, near Lake Van, contains a temple dedicated to Haldi whose floor was covered with golden calcite.
- The temple's andesite—not basalt—walls carry stone-inlaid religious motifs depicting a lion, bull, eagle and human figure.
- The video interprets the four motifs as echoing Ezekiel's vision.
- The video argues that Haldi is associated with Orion.
- The temple is associated with King Rusa II (685–639 BCE), son of Argisti II, through cuneiform inscriptions.
- The video notes that some cuneiform was added after damage to the blocks and interprets this as evidence of an earlier phase.
- Bronze shields and helmets were found in the temple and regarded as offerings.
Sources
thestageoftime.com
Linked in video description
(DOC) Ritual ceremonies in the temple area of Ayanisacademia.edu
The temple complex at Ayanis was dedicated to the god Haldi, confirmed by multiple inscriptions. Ceremonial practices included libations, sacrifices, ...
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Ayanis Fortress Haldi Temple was closed with a permanent roof system with the support of local administrations. Podiumlu Salon, which is located in the east of ...
Ayanisvici.org
The temple dedicated to the God Haldi by Rusa II (685–639 BC), son of Argisti II. The andesite walls of the temple were decorated with motifs using stone- ...
Mystery of Ayanis Castle's rooms investigatedhurriyetdailynews.com
Archaeologists are continuing to explore the secrets of the Haldi Temple complex at Ayanis Castle in eastern Türkiye, where bronze weapons ...
Ayanisen.wikipedia.org
Ayanis (Turkish: Ayanis Kalesi ) is an Urartian archaeological site close to lake Van, Turkey. It was originally built as a fortress by Urartian king Rusa ...
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