History and archaeology / Ancient city
Zernaki Tepe
Erciş, Van
A walled ancient settlement on the plateau just north of Erciş, considered one of the earliest grid-plan cities of the Middle East with its right-angled streets.
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Its story
The settlement of about 20 hectares on a limestone plateau at 1830–1890 meters at the northeastern end of Erciş, overlooking the north shore of Lake Van, is known for its remarkably regular plan of streets intersecting at right angles. In the lower city to the southeast, streets 5 meters wide surround blocks of four dwellings; two main avenues 7 meters wide run through the center. On the northwest hill there is a citadel, and the city is surrounded by a wall of polygonal masonry. Also mentioned by 19th-century travelers, the settlement was long classified as an Urartian city; new research, however, shows significant use in the Artaxiad and Parthian periods. The dating debate is ongoing.
Key facts
- Period
- Iron Age – Parthian period (debated)
- Getting there
- North of the Erciş district center
- Visit duration
- 1 hour
Trip purpose
- Photography
- Quiet
- Hiking
Location
39.05841, 43.34804
Reviews
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zernaki_Tepe | https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erciş | https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/4967439533 | https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/887491292