Archaeological evidence for the Iron Age in the Muradiye Plain

The Iron Age settlement system of the Muradiye Plain constitutes the main subject of this study, evaluated within the framework of architectural and ceramic finds as well as epigraphic data obtained through survey research. The settlement pattern of the plain, located in the northern part of the Lake Van Basin, is examined within a chronological framework centered on mounds, fortresses, and necropolis areas under the headings of the Early, Middle, and Late Iron Age. The settlement units identified during the research are analyzed through a holistic approach in terms of their geographical distribution, natural environmental conditions, and the administrative and functional structures of the period. In particular, inscriptions dated to the Middle Iron Age (Urartian Period) are evaluated as significant data that contribute to understanding the administrative status and strategic importance of the settlements. These data indicate that the Muradiye Plain functioned as an important transit route from the Early Iron Age onward and held a strategic position within the military and economic organization of the Urartian Kingdom during the Middle Iron Age. The relationship between settlements and factors such as topography, water resources, and arable land demonstrates that the settlement network in the plain was organized with the aims of defense, supervision, and regional control. However, archaeological evidence shows that by the Late Iron Age, the number of settlements in the region had significantly decreased compared to earlier periods The identification of previously unrecorded fortress settlements, T-shaped niches, and rock marks during the surveys indicates that the density of Iron Age settlements in the Muradiye Plain was higher than previously assumed. In this context, the study contributes to a reassessment of the Iron Age settlement system and the regional role of the Muradiye Plain in light of newly obtained archaeological evidence.