Van Müzesi’nde Bulunan Kule Biçimli Kemik Objeler Üzerine Gözlemler

Bu makalede Van Müzesi’nde yer alan ve farklı yıllarda satın alınmış kule biçimli bazı kemik objeler incelenecektir. Bu kemik objelerin hangi amaçla kullanıldığı, sembolik veya dinsel bir anlam içerip içermediği tartışılarak konu hakkında bilgi verilmeye çalışılacaktır. Ayrıca bu türden kule tasvirlerinin hangi dönemde ortaya çıktığı, belli bir dönemin modası olarak mı kullanım gördüğü sorularına da cevap verilmeye gayret edilecektir1.

A group of bone objects in the shape of towers, located at Van Museum, is
quite striking. Hollow and their surfaces ornamented with incised decorations,
these bone objects generally were worked on to describe an architectural
object. From the middle of 9th century BC, the use of bones and ivory artifacts
in Urartian kingdom with Van being its center is well known. However,
archeological excavations in Van region have not yielded conclusive evidence
in regard to purpose of these objects. Nevertheless, descriptions on Urartian
art and architectural objects indicate that architectural descriptions were used
with enthusiasm in Urartian art. In addition, the existence of “towers with
plant motives” seen on pottery recovered in various settlements and bronze
cups found in Karmir Blur suggest that these architectural descriptions may
be relevant to unknown religious rituals. Although archeological evidence
for the purpose of their use is lacking, these hollow bone objects with incised
decoration may have been used as incense burner or part of a make-up set
such as eye shadow/eye liner.