By Mesut Varol
VAN, Turkey
A group of archaeologists have unearthed a grinding stone dating back to Urartian era in eastern Turkey.
Excavations in an Urartian castle of Cavustepe revealed a 2,700 year-old stone used in grinding grain products in eastern Van’s Gurpinar district.
The rectangular stone, measuring 54 by 30 centimeters (21 by 11 inches), was used through ages, Rafet Cavusoglu, the head of the excavation team and an archeology professor at Van’s Yuzuncu Yil University, told Anadolu Agency.
“This is a stone people used to grind some grains like barley and wheat after adopting settled life,” Cavusoglu said.
It is the fourth stone discovered since the start of the excavations at the castle -- built by the Urartian King Sardur II in 750 B.C. -- in 2014, he added.
“When we examined the stones, we understood that they were one of the most important tools in human nutrition,” he said, citing its worn-out surface.
Cavusoglu also said around 120 clay vessels -- thought to be used in winter for grain storage -- were uncovered during the excavations, as well.
