858 - 650 BC The Urartians established a state around Lake Van in eastern Anatolia.  For approximately 300 years they were a regional power.  The Urartians were renowned for their architectural abilities in their setting, plan and construction techniques of temples, palaces, administrative buildings and castles.   The temples and palaces, with their multicolor reception halls, mark the contribution of Urartu to the history of architecture.  Another important feature of the Urartian art is their wall paintings which combine bright coloured geometric and plant motifs with various animal scenes.  Decorated bronze panels, belts, helmets, shields and cauldrons also had an important place in Urartian art.

Bronze lion statuette

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