Çavuştepe

Cavustepe (Sardurihinilli) is an Urartian fortress built by King Sarduri II (r. 764-735 BC) near Gurpinar, 25 km southeast of Van in eastern Turkey. The site comprises upper and lower sections: the Upper Castle (90 x 55 m) contains the Temple of Haldi (12.5 x 12.5 m), while the Lower Castle houses the Temple of Irmushini (10 x 10 m) with murals in blue, red, black, and white, along with a palace, throne room, storehouses, and a royal toilet. Excavated by Afif Erzen from 1961-1986, the fortress was destroyed in the 7th century BC, likely by the Scythians or Medes.