Some reflections on Urartian inscribed metal cylinders and uninscribed metal discs

Abstract

The kingdom of Urartu is famous in the archaeology of the ancient Near East especially for its artistic metalwork. Although detailed research has been conducted on most of the many different objects produced by Urartian craftworkers, others have been less carefully studied. This paper deals with the latter group, to which belong unusual metal objects discovered in a number of Urartian archaeological sites (Van Fortress, Altıntepe, Ayanis, Toprakkale and Karmir-blur). These mainly cylindrical bronze discs have been interpreted in various ways. Some feature short royal inscriptions in cuneiform, which unfortunately do not help us to understand their function, but date the objects to the eighth-seventh century BC. Some past interpretations now appear outdated. All the specimens currently known have been rigorously examined and possible interpretations on their functions are given.