Urartu facts for kids

Urartu (Assyrian Urarṭu, Urartian Biainili) was an ancient kingdom in Armenia. It was in the mountainous plateau between Asia Minor, Mesopotamia, and Caucasus mountains, later known as the Armenian Highland, and it centered around Lake Van (present-day eastern Turkey). The kingdom existed from ca. 860 BC, emerging from Late Bronze Age Nairi polities, until 585 BC. The name corresponds to the Biblical Ararat.

Urartu extended from Lake Van southeastward to Mannai, and sometimes even included that land as one of its provinces.

Images for kids

Fragment of a bronze helmet from Argishti I's era. The "tree of life", popular among the ancient societies, is depicted. The helmet was discovered during the excavations of the fortress Of Teyshebaini on Karmir-Blur (Red Hill).
Niche and base for a destroyed Urartian stele, Van citadel, 1973.
Urartian stone arch near Van, 1973.
A Urartian cauldron, in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Ankara
Silver bucket from Urartu in the Museum zu Allerheiligen in Schaffhausen Switzerland, allegedly from the tomb of Prince Inuspua, 810 BC
Bronze figurine of the winged goddess Tushpuea, with suspension hook
A modern depiction of the god Ḫaldi based on Urartian originals
Urartian cuneiform recording the foundation of Erebuni Fortress by Argishti.