“Urartu: Between History, Archaeology, and Experiment” — Lecture by Archaeologist Ivan Semyan

“Urartu: Between History, Archaeology, and Experiment” — Lecture by Archaeologist Ivan Semyan

Urartu was one of the most powerful states of the Ancient Near East, flourishing on the Armenian Highlands nearly three thousand years ago. Its fortresses, cities, cuneiform inscriptions, vibrant religious traditions, irrigation systems, and royal monuments continue to impress with their scale and engineering sophistication, while many of its archaeological sites are still being actively studied today.

During this lecture, archaeologist Ivan Semyan will explore the history and legacy of the Kingdom of Van. We will discuss how Urartu defended its borders and governed its territories, why its fortresses became symbols of state power, how the Urartian military system functioned, and what distinguished its culture from neighboring civilizations.

Special attention will be given to fortifications, hydraulic engineering, and royal ideology.

The lecture will also examine how modern archaeologists investigate Urartu today: what fieldwork can reveal, why experimental archaeology is important, and how recent discoveries are helping scholars develop new perspectives on the history of this remarkable ancient kingdom.