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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Atabindi Kaya Mezari |
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For site maps and drawings please click on the picture...  |
For photographs please click on the photo...  |
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Type:
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Rock-cut Tomb |
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Altitude:
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m |
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Region:
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Eastern Anatolia |
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Province:
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Agri |
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District:
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Tutak |
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Village:
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Atabindi |
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Investigation Method:
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Survey |
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Period:
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Middle Iron Age |
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| On a rocky hill, 5 km northeast of the Atabindi Village in the Tutak District of Agri lie two rock graves and a wide sacred area with many rock coves. The first grave at the Atabindi Village which rests on the southeastern end of the rock in the north-south direction has a top entrance, easily accessible, with four chambers including the entrance, built in a regular plan and qualified masonry. The grave is descended by a 13-step staircase, which starts with a landing of 1.23x0.80 m in dimensions. However, currently it is only accessible through a 1.30x0.60 m cavity as a result of destruction on the rock. This section measuring 2.12x3.30x3.13 m in dimensions was converted into an entrance during the Middle Age when the structure was used as a church. Through a framed door of 0.79x1.53x1.00 m with a single fascia, it leads to the main chamber of 5.52x2.70x5.00 m. All the walls of the main chamber are enclosed by a bench with a height of 0.50 m and width of 0.50 m. In the main chamber there is a total of 6 niches of 0.50x 0.30 x.0.50 m in size, with upper parts being oval and oval cavities at the bottom. The main chamber leads into a rear chamber of 1.84x1.72 x1.98 m. There is also an access to a side chamber of 1.40x1.72x1.75 m through a door piercing the northeastern wall of the main chamber. There are 6 niches like in the main chamber. However, the height was not measured because of the deposit in the floor. The second grave of Atabindi was carved into the same rock with the first grave in the same position. A 3.70 m m long and 1.80 m high doorway leads to a single chamber of 5.10x6.70x2.30 m. It has a poor masonry. Both graves, seemingly built during the Urartu Period, have been heavily destroyed with the cracks mainly on the ceilings. |
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