Bahçecik

This ancient settlement, located near the village of Bahçecik in Elazığ province, is an important center built by the Urartian Kingdom in the 8th century BCE. Founded by the Urartian king Sarduri II and named "Sardurihinili," this fortress served as a strategic base to secure the kingdom's western conquests. Inscriptions belonging to Sarduri found in the region detail the city's founding purpose and significance.

History

The history of the ancient settlement of Bahçecik dates back particularly to the 8th century BCE, during the period of the Urartian Kingdom. Archaeological findings and inscriptions in the region indicate that this center was built during the reign of Urartian king Sarduri II (764-735 BCE). Sarduri II, who succeeded his father Argišti I to the throne, pursued a policy of expanding his kingdom's borders westward. As part of these expansionist movements, he had a strong fortress built at Bahçecik to maintain control over the conquered western regions. He named this fortress "Sardurihinili" ("Sarduri's Fortress"), inspired by his own name. Discovered inscriptions (CTU A 9-18) state that Sarduri built not only the fortress but also a tower temple, known as a "susi temple." During this period, the city was made an administrative center with the appointment of a governor for the administration of Urartu's western regions, thus playing a critical role in consolidating the kingdom's authority in the west. The history of Bahçecik stands out as concrete evidence of Urartu's expansion and military power in Anatolia.

Geographic Location

The ancient settlement of Bahçecik is located north of the modern village of Bahçecik in Elazığ province, in the Eastern Anatolia Region. This location, with coordinates 38.901138, 40.083061, held strategic importance for the Urartian Kingdom. Situated east of the Euphrates River, the region offered a natural passage and control point for Urartu's westward expansion policies. The fortress, built on a high and protected area, provided a commanding view over the surrounding vast plains and valleys. This situation offered a significant advantage for the early detection of potential enemy movements and ensuring the security of the region. Bahçecik was ideally situated to secure Urartu's western borders and administratively integrate newly acquired territories. Thanks to its geographical position, it was used as a military and logistical base in Urartu's interactions with neighboring kingdoms to the west.

Significance in Antiquity

Bahçecik held great political, military, and religious significance in antiquity, particularly for the Urartian Kingdom. Politically, it became an administrative center with the appointment of a governor to manage and control the western regions conquered by Urartian king Sarduri II. This governor represented the kingdom's authority over these distant and newly acquired lands, serving as an extension of the central administration. Militarily, the construction of the fortress known as "Sardurihinili" clearly demonstrates Bahçecik's function as a border outpost and defensive line. The fortress was used as a logistical base for Urartu's western military campaigns and a defensive point for conquered territories. Its religious importance was also significant; the "susi temple" (tower temple) built by Sarduri II ensured the spread of the Urartian religion in these distant regions and the consolidation of royal ideology. These temples were typically dedicated to Urartian deities and regarded as a manifestation of the king's divine authority. Thus, Bahçecik was a multifaceted center that extended Urartu's physical borders as well as its cultural and religious influence westward.

Coinage

No coins from this settlement are recorded in the NumisTR database. Although Urartu was one of the major powers in the Near East in the 8th century BCE, it did not adopt the widespread use and minting of coins to the same extent as city-states in the Hellenistic or later Roman periods. The Urartian economy was generally based on a barter system and the use of precious metals in the form of ingots or weight units. Therefore, there are no archaeological or numismatic findings indicating that coinage activities were carried out in Urartian administrative and military centers like Bahçecik. Coinage in the Urartian Kingdom was not yet a fully established practice among the civilizations of Anatolia and the Near East during this period.

Archaeological Remains

Today, significant archaeological remains of the ancient Urartian settlement can be seen north of Bahçecik village. Foremost among these remains are the wall and building foundations of the fortress constructed by Urartian king Sarduri II. These remains reflect the characteristic features of Urartian architecture and highlight the strategic importance of the fortress. One of the most notable finds is a stone inscription belonging to Sarduri II (CTU A 9-18). This inscription contains valuable information about the construction of the fortress, its naming as "Sardurihinili," and the building of a "susi temple." The inscription is of great importance for the study of Urartian script and language. Furthermore, the remains or traces of the susi temple mentioned in the text may be uncovered through detailed archaeological work in the region. These remains are invaluable sources for understanding Urartu's western presence and architectural prowess.

Today

The ancient settlement of Bahçecik is located within the boundaries of the modern village of Bahçecik, in Elazığ province. The village is situated at a certain distance from Elazığ city center, and access is provided by road. Visitor access to the region is generally possible by private vehicles or local public transport. The ancient remains north of the village are an important stop for visitors with archaeological and historical interest. However, further work is needed regarding the preservation and exhibition of the remains.