A SET OF BRONZE BRACELETS AND EARRINGS FROM URARTIAN PERIOD IN THE MUSEUM OF ERZINCAN

In 9th century B.C., the central kingdom of Urartu emerged on the eastern coast of Lake Van as a result of the union of Uruatri and Nairi confederations. From 8th century B.C., this state showed a rapid rise and expanded its boundaries to Transcaucasia in north, Malatya in west, the Taurus Mountains in south, and inside the North-western Iran in east. In parallel with the development of the Kingdom of Urartu, there were progresses in its political, social, economic, and military structure. In addition, superior craftsmanship, a unique artistic structure and extremely fine jewelry taste emerged in Urartians, which was as a result of the fact that the metal resource of Eastern Anatolia was known and forged in an effective manner by Urartians. Urartians made weapons, articles of daily use, and ornaments by forging these metals. Numerous jewelry works from the period of Urartians, who were skilled in jewelry making by using metals, are now in museums or private collections in our country and abroad. These works reflect the level the Kingdom of Urartu reached and their style unique in art and jewelry. Especially bracelets were decorated in the shape of the heads of sacred animals venerated at that time, and fantasy creatures. The earrings made from gold, silver, bronze and lead were widely used by both men and women from Urartian society. The jewelry, an important part of whose were obtained from the graves in Urartian period, were largely used for adornment, magic, protection from evil, and as an indicator of status and also for the belief that the person would be protected forever after death in that period. The jewelry from the Urartian period and consisting of bracelets and earrings in the Museum of Erzincan is a good example of these.