Sarmaç

Sarmaç is a modern settlement located in Eastern Anatolia, east of Van province, on the northwestern foothills of Mount Warak (Erek). In antiquity, it held strategic and religious significance, particularly for the Urartian Kingdom, and is known for inscriptions belonging to King Minua (9th/8th century BCE). These inscriptions document the construction of a susi temple dedicated to the god Haldi, a fortress, and other important structures.

History

The ancient history of Sarmaç is closely linked to the powerful periods of the Urartian Kingdom. The most prominent evidence in the region dates to the reign of Urartian King Minua (approximately 810-786 BCE), who ruled in the late 9th and early 8th centuries BCE. Cuneiform Urartian inscriptions on three stone blocks found in Sarmaç, at a monastery now also known as Kohbants, reveal the city's importance during that period. These inscriptions detail the construction of a susi temple dedicated to Haldi, the chief god of Urartu, a fortress, a gate, and a special building called "Minua's barzudibiduni building."

King Minua was one of the most active and expansionist rulers of the Urartian Kingdom; he extended his kingdom westward to the Euphrates and eastward to the Caspian Sea, undertaking numerous construction projects. These structures in Sarmaç were part of his efforts to strengthen both the religious and military infrastructure of his kingdom. Although clear information about the region's fate after the Urartian period is limited, it is probable that Sarmaç, like many other settlements in Eastern Anatolia, came under the influence of subsequent empires such as the Persian, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine. However, apart from the Urartian period, no distinct archaeological or written evidence has yet been uncovered.

Geographic Location

Sarmaç is strategically located in the Eastern Anatolia Region, approximately 10 kilometers east of the provincial center of Van, on the northwestern foothills of Mount Warak (Erek or Erk). This geographic position places Sarmaç quite close to the Lake Van basin, the heartland of the Urartian Kingdom, and its capital Tushpa (modern Van Fortress). This settlement in a mountainous terrain offered significant advantages for defense and surveillance in antiquity, owing to its high vantage point from which it could control surrounding valleys and passes.

Its proximity to the eastern shore of Lake Van provided access to water resources and agricultural lands vital for the Urartian economy and culture. Furthermore, its proximity to natural resources (minerals, forest products) in the region may have increased Sarmaç's strategic value. Its connections with neighboring Urartian settlements and fortresses suggest it was an important part of the kingdom's defensive network. This location may also have served as a control point on ancient trade and military routes extending from Mesopotamia into inner Anatolia and the Caucasus.

Significance in Antiquity

Sarmaç held great significance in antiquity, both religiously and strategically-politically, especially for the Urartian Kingdom. The inscriptions of King Minua, which mention the existence of a susi temple dedicated to Haldi, indicate that Sarmaç was one of the important centers of the cult of Haldi, the chief god of Urartu. Susi temples are known as structures that held a central place in Urartian architecture and were typically built in the kingdom's most sacred areas. This suggests that Sarmaç played a key role in the religious life of the kingdom, beyond being merely a local settlement.

Furthermore, the mention of a fortress and a gate in the inscriptions reveals that Sarmaç was also an important defensive and administrative center. Given its proximity to the capital Tushpa, the fortress here may have been part of a series of fortifications protecting the eastern side of the Lake Van basin and ensuring the security of Urartian territories. King Minua's construction of a "barzudibiduni building" bearing his own name may indicate that this settlement housed a special residence or administrative building for the royal family or high-ranking officials. This complex of structures transformed Sarmaç into a multifunctional center that reinforced Urartian regional control and reflected its religious authority.

Coinage

No coins from this settlement are recorded in the NumisTR database. During the Urartian Kingdom, the most flourishing period of ancient Sarmaç, a widespread tradition of coinage had not yet developed in Anatolia and the Near East. The Urartians generally adopted an economic system based on a barter economy or the use of precious metals based on weight units known from Assyria and Mesopotamia. Coinage was first introduced in Anatolia by the Lydians towards the end of the 7th century BCE, and this practice became widespread in the periods following the collapse of the Urartian Kingdom, particularly during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Therefore, the absence of its own coinage in Urartian-period settlements like Sarmaç is an expected situation.

Archaeological Remains

The most significant archaeological remains visible in Sarmaç today are the cuneiform stone blocks belonging to Urartian King Minua. These blocks were found in Sarmaç, at a monastery previously known as Kohbants. While the inscriptions document the construction of a susi temple, a fortress, a gate, and "Minua's barzudibiduni building," the original architectural remains of these structures are believed to lie beneath or around the modern settlement. The monastery itself can be considered an area where stones from ancient structures were reused (spolia).

Apart from surface surveys or limited excavations in the region, distinct remains of monumental structures from the Urartian period have not yet been fully uncovered. However, the existence of the inscriptions unequivocally proves the presence of important Urartian structures in the area where ancient Sarmaç was located. With future detailed archaeological work, it may be possible to gain more information about the architectural and urban fabric of this important Urartian center. The density of the modern settlement is a significant factor complicating the detection and excavation of ancient remains.

Today

Sarmaç continues to exist today as a settlement unit affiliated with Van province in Turkey's Eastern Anatolia Region. Located east of Van city center, on the foothills of Mount Warak (Erek), it is surrounded by natural beauty. Access to the region is provided by road from Van city center. Despite its importance in antiquity, modern Sarmaç maintains a traditional way of life, primarily based on agriculture and animal husbandry. A large portion of the ancient remains has either remained buried underground or been reused in structures built in later periods. Nevertheless, Sarmaç continues to be an important reference point for academic research on Urartian history and culture.