Three bronze shields and one bronze helmet have been discovered at the ancient Urartean fortress of Ayanis in eastern Turkey. They are approximately 2,700 years old and were found in the temple dedicated to Haldi, the god of war and chief god of the Urartian religion. The objects are in excellent condition, despite having been buried when an earthquake toppled the mudbrick walls of the temple in around 650 B.C. The Urartu Kingdom ruled over parts of modern-day Turkey, Armenia, Iran and Iraq from the 9th century through the 6th century B.C. Ayanis Castle was built around 672 B.C. by Rusa II, the last powerful ruler of the kingdom. The fortress was constructed on a hill overlooking Lake Van 20 miles east of the Urartian capital Tushpa (modern-day Van). It was the last castle built by the Urartu Kingdom and it had a very short lifespan. Historical records indicate it was destroyed by an earthquake 20-25 years after it was built. The Urartian ruling class dedicated shields, helmets and other bronze weapons to Haldi, and dozens have been found in the temple complex at Ayanis. Most of them were squashed and deformed in the collapse of the walls and the subsequent fires that ripped through the citadel, but the three shields and helmets found in this year’s excavation managed to avoid that fate. Archaeologists dug more than 20 feet deep to reach them on the floor of a room that archaeologists believe was used by a religious elite. Two of the shields were stacked together with the helmet nested inside of the top shield. There are inscriptions that are currently obscured by soil. There is visible decoration on the helmet so it was likely a ceremonial piece rather than actual battle gear, but the full ornamentation will only be revealed after cleaning and conservation. There are some minor fractures on the objects that will be repaired in the conservation process.

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