Burial traditions in Iron Age Van Lake and its surroundings in light of new data

Recent excavations in the Van region and its surroundings have revealed new data on burial traditions. In this context, burial types and traditions of the Iron Ages in the Van Lake and its surroundings have been reassessed in light of these new findings. The updated data from the necropoleis of Körzüt Kale, Çatak Kaniya Bekan, Çavuştepe, and Babacan constitute the case studies of this thesis. While ceramics from the Babacan graves were initially dated to the Early Iron Age, radiocarbon analyses conducted on the skeletons indicate that this cemetery dates back to approximately 1300 BCE. This thesis demonstrates that evaluations of Iron Age graves based solely on artifacts and architectural features are insufficient and that cemetery sites must be supported by radiocarbon dating analyses.