Altintepe Urartian Ruins Altintepe Ruins, situated in the Üzümlü district of Erzincan Province, offer a scenic view of the Euphrates River. This historical site, dating from the 9th to 7th century BCE, is an Urartian fortress, temple, and archaeological area. It also served as an important military stronghold during the Roman and Ottoman Empires. The discovery of the ruins occurred in 1938 while constructing the local railway, and excavations were carried out between 1959 and 1968 under the supervision of Professor Dr. Tahsin Özgüç. In 2003, excavation work resumed following a decision by the Council of Ministers, uncovering a grand hall, a temple, a warehouse, defensive city walls, and three chamber tombs. The Altintepe church, a religious structure from the Byzantine Empire, is renowned for its mosaic floors across three aisles, featuring vibrant geometric patterns and depictions of plants and animals. Archaeologists have uncovered a variety of artifacts from the ancient burial mound, dating back to the 8th century BC. These include ivory and metal objects, intricately decorated helmets and shields, ceramic items, wall tiles, and a bronze plaque inscribed with cuneiform text and depictions of kings. These remarkable finds, along with other notable discoveries from the Urartian civilization, are now on display at the Ankara Anatolian Civilizations Museum. The representations of gods, humans, and animals among the Altintepe artifacts hold significant historical value. If you have any questions or would like to inquire further, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or simply contact us via Whatsapp, and we will reply at the earliest opportunity.