Newly Unearthed Mysteries Of An Ancient Kingdom Found In A Turkish Lake

Archeologists have uncovered a remarkable mystery under the depths of a 600,000-year-old lake in Turkey. Long-forgotten artifacts from a past civilization are now resurfacing and providing an insightful view into a world that was once thriving. Ancient pieces of pottery, jewelry, and tools have been found, hinting at the way of life and values of these forgotten people.

Tucked away in present-day Turkey lies a gem, Lake Van, known for its captivating turquoise waters. For centuries, travelers have been drawn to its beauty and majesty. An incredible mountain looms in the background, surrounded by abundant green foliage, and an ancient church perched atop a cliff.

It was a time of chaos and destruction when a volcanic eruption sent molten lava cascading down the mountainside, blocking the outlet of Lake Van. Standing 5,380 feet above sea level, this lake was no ordinary water. Instead, its salty composition kept it liquid even when the surrounding hilltops were blanketed in snow.

Lake Van is an ancient body of water estimated to have been formed over 600,000 years ago. The world we know today was vastly different from how it used to be, and the waters of this lake have been steadily increasing since its formation. So it is not hard to imagine that the mysterious artifact at the bottom of this lake might have been on dry land at one point in time, only to be swallowed by the rising waters and plunged into its depths.

Deep beneath the ancient waters of Lake Van, a tantalizing secret lay hidden for centuries. Scientists had long been captivated by the lake’s age-old mystique and poured over its chemistry and geography for decades to uncover its past.

Exploring maps from the 9th century, one can find Lake Van was much closer to Tushpa, the capital of the mysterious Urartu civilization. Tales of this Iron Age kingdom have been passed down through the ages, but until now, physical evidence of its existence has yet to be discovered.

In 2017, a daring group of adventurers consisting of archaeologists, historians, and photographers set out to the depths of Lake Van, driven by the persistent hunch that something remarkable awaited them. Fascinating tales of an ancient kingdom and the relics it left behind had been whispered for ages. 

This lake had been shrouded in mystery, hiding a secret beneath its tranquil surface for centuries. Then, finally, speculations of an ancient, long-forgotten kingdom spurred explorers to set out on a mission to uncover the truth. In the ’50s and ’60s, a similar mission was attempted before, but the results were far more revealing this time.

Word of a mysterious structure beneath the depths of Lake Van had circulated for centuries. Its origin lies somewhere between the years of 476 and 1450 A.D. Scientists in the 1950s had suspicions yet lacked the technology to investigate further.

The renowned Yan Yüzüncü Yıl University had assembled an intrepid crew of archaeologists, photographers, researchers, and some of the most experienced divers, all set with a noble mission – to uncover the mysteries of Lake Van. Together, they set off on their quest, unaware of the seismic discovery that awaited them. 

Explorers have been drawn to this lake for decades, all in search of the legendary City of Atlantis. So as the research team plunged into the lake’s depths, they were excited about what they may find.

The divers and researchers had dedicated so much time and energy to their mission and were finally rewarded – deep in the lake sat a huge, perfectly preserved castle. Tahsin Ceylan, the head of the diving team, was especially surprised by the discovery, as they had set out on a mission with a completely different goal.

Ceylan was on a quest to find a monster that supposedly lurked in the depths of Lake Van. He had heard stories of a mythical creature that lived in the lake, yet most archaeologists and museum officials told him it was just a rumor.

At the bottom of the lake lay an ancient castle, an architectural marvel in pristine condition. Its walls stood an impressive four meters high and spanned a massive kilometer wide.

After years of searching, the team of scientists was finally able to determine the existence of the long-lost Urartu kingdom. The castle at the lake was evidence of the Iron Age kingdom of Van, which had been around from the 9th to the 6th century BCE. 

The Urartians were far-sighted when erecting their castle overlooking Lake Van’s brackish waters. Scientists are now certain that the lake levels were much lower at the time of its construction. This strategic placement near a water source was a wise decision.

The lake’s shore revealed a scattered historic structure – sections of the castle and the surrounding city. Though some walls had crumbled into rubble piles, others remained firm. Scientists analyzed the quantitative data to uncover the castle’s secrets and measured the standing walls’ depths.

Ceylan and their team were astounded by their discovery of the castle, a secret hidden for centuries beneath the lake. The team was eager to uncover the secrets of the castle and its occupants. When they inspected the walls, they noticed an engraving of a lion. This find sparked more questions and generated excitement as they sought to uncover the mystery behind the lion’s castle.

Ceylan and her team stumbled upon a mysterious castle and were immediately intrigued. They began to explore the castle walls and discovered a drawing of a lion etched into the rock. It revealed an answer to the questions of who built this castle and who lived in it before it was lost to the lake.

Amidst the ruins of an ancient fort, archaeologists were astounded to discover a lion motif, a symbol historically associated with the Urartian kingdom. At first, it settled the debate: this was an Urartian castle. But then Geoffrey Summers stepped up with a divergent opinion. He declared, “It appears to be more medieval than Urartian.”

The researchers were amazed that some of the stones used to build a castle were created during the medieval period. The Urartians had recycled the materials from pre-existing structures.

Lake Van. He wrote, “a lofty wall of later than Urartian times runs under the lake.” Experts are divided in their opinion about the origin of the castle.

Hulin was determined to uncover the long-forgotten secrets of the Urartian King, Rusa. As part of his research, he scoured artifacts found around Lake Van, only to discover inscriptions that had been exposed to the elements for centuries.

When King Sarduri II of Urartu passed away, Rusa inherited the throne. In the past, he had been an unrivaled soldier, conquering numerous Anatolian territories. Nonetheless, Rusa’s actions would come back to haunt him once he became king. He had assumed that by taking other people’s land, they would simply accept it.

A new and powerful monarch had taken the throne – Tiglath-Pileser III. He felt wronged by the former king, King Rusa, and was determined to reclaim the land that had been taken from him. He urged his people to regroup and build their strength to prepare for battle. 

The brave King Tiglath-Pileser III and his faithful subjects were ready to reclaim the land that King Rusa’s ancestors had taken. Historians hypothesized that it was during this time that the Urartian castle sunk into the lake. Could a battle have occurred that caused the castle to be destroyed?

King Rusa had taken control of the Urartian kingdom from his father, leaving him with no other option but to fight off King Tiglath-Pileser III’s forces. This was a battle of strength and resilience. For centuries, wars over land ownership have been commonplace, as land is seen as a power source.

The Urartu kingdom was besieged multiple times, requiring more resources to rebuild. The enduring onslaught of King Tiglath-Pileser III’s forces inevitably weakened the kingdom. Even with the difficult situation, the aggressors were confident that their conquest could be achieved with sufficient patience and effort.

The Urartu people were at their wit’s end. Resources were dwindling, and funds were running low. The weight of the constant warfare with the Assyrians only added to the misery of their already dire situation. And so, they had no choice but to accept their fate and surrender.

The vastness of Lake Van has been home to a mysterious castle, captivating many scientists, archaeologists, researchers, and divers. Everyone is eager to delve deep into the secrets of this structure and uncover the truth of its origin. In addition, the experts are determined to learn more about the Urartian people and their kingdom.