Henrik Danielyan - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Henrik Danielyan
THE PHENOMENON OF «CYCLOPEAN» FORTRESSES BY THE EXAMPLE OF THE SOUTH SLOPE OF MOUNT ARAGATS, 2023
One of the most important and also characteristic moments in the building of fortresses of the Br... more One of the most important and also characteristic moments in the building of fortresses of the Bronze and Iron Ages on the southern slope of Mount Aragats, was the group disposition of defensive systems located at a distance of 1-2 km from each other. A large number of fortresses have been found in the studied area. These are relatively small area structures and next to them there are dwellings, also on a small area, and there was a burial ground around them. This group of defensive systems fully comply to the type of É.GAL(MEŠ) - "fortresses" named in Uraratian cuneiforms. Fortified settlements consist of a fortress, a citadel, tower-like structures, a settlement, and a burial ground. A citadel is a well-defended site of a fortified settlement located on a hill, plateau or promontory, occupying a relatively high position in the area, and residential complexes are located both inside it and outside, on the slopes and foothills of the hill, extending to the nearby plateau. This type of settlement is named in Urartian cuneiform inscriptions with the ideogram URU and is characterized by a permanent population. There were the following types of settlements: URU LUGAL-nu-si - "royal city" and URU(MEŠ) - "city". Fortified sanctuaries are few. Analyzing the surviving complexes, we can assume that they consist of a cromlech surrounded by a wall. Another type of "Cyclopean" structures are castles, which are quite few on the southern slope of Mount Aragats. Combining the above data, we can conclude that the southern slope of Mount Aragats was inhabited from the earliest stages of the development of the culture of the Bronze and Iron Ages. Cyclopean fortresses, as the main type of settlements, appear during the transition from the Middle to the Late Bronze Age (c. 1500 BC), and most of them belong to the Late Bronze Age (1500-1300 BC) and the Early Iron Age (1200–900 BC).
CULTURAL LANDSCAPE OF THE ORGOV ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE CLUSTER DURING THE LATE BRONZE AND EARLY IRON AGES, 2023
The Orgov cluster of archaeological sites is located in the Amberd River valley. Mega-lithic monu... more The Orgov cluster of archaeological sites is located in the Amberd River valley. Mega-lithic monuments here are represented by both "cyclopean" fortresses and burial grounds, "sacred" roads carved into the rock, vishaps and menhirs. The archaeological complex of Orgov consists of two parts. The first part is located on the top of a high cape, rising above the western outskirts of the modern village of the same name, where the fortified settle-ment of Orgov 1 is located, which had its own guard fortress Orgov 2. The second part of archaeological sites extends north from the village of Orgov towards Tirinkatar. This com-plex is formed by Orgov 4 (Kur Tapa / Gaili Blur (Wolf Hill)) and Ermani duz units. The area of Orgov 4 is rich in cemeteries, within their borders there is a menhir with a geome-tric ornament, not far from which there was a vishap. To the north-west of Orgov 4, to-wards Tirinkatar, there is a dried-up lake Ermani duz, on the edge of which there is a forti-fied settlement of Orgov 3. Orgov 5, a recently discovered fortress, ends the Ermani duz place. In the group of sites of Orgov, the recently discovered temple complex of Orgov 6 occupies a special place. It is a tower-like structure with an oval shape in plan.
Տպագրվում է ՀՀ ԳԱԱ հնագիտության և ազգագրության ինստիտուտի ու «Էրեբունի» պատմահնագիտական արգելոց-թ... more Տպագրվում է ՀՀ ԳԱԱ հնագիտության և ազգագրության ինստիտուտի ու «Էրեբունի» պատմահնագիտական արգելոց-թանգարանի գիտական խորհուրդների որոշմամբ Հատորի խմբագիրներ՝ Միքայել Բադալյան Քրիստինե Մարտիրոսյան-Օլշանսկի Արսեն Բոբոխյան ՀՏԴ 902(082) ԳՄԴ 63.4ց43 Ու 229 Ու 229 Ծովային Հայաստան. Ուդուրի-Էթիունի երկրի հնագիտական ժառանգությունը / ՀՀ ԳԱԱ հնագիտության և ազ գագրության ինստի տուտ, «Էրեբունի» պատմահնագիտական արգելոցթանգարան, Կալիֆորնիայի համալսա րա նի Քոթսենի անվան հնագիտության ինստիտուտ: Խմբ.՝ Մ. Բադալյան, Ք. ՄարտիրոսյանՕլշանսկի, Ա. Բոբոխյան,-Եր.: ՀԱԻ հրատ., 2022.-484 էջ: Սևանա լճի ավազանը հարուստ է հնագիտական հուշարձաններով՝ բնակավայրերով, ամրոցներով, դամբա րան նե րով, ժայռապատկերներով, վիշապ կոթողներով, վիմագիր արձանագրություններով: Դրանց հետազոտությունն սկսվել է դեռևս XIX դ., իսկ պեղումներ իրականացվում են XX դ. սկզբից: Հետազոտությունները ցույց են տալիս տա րածաշրջանի խաղացած կարևորագույն դերը Հայկական լեռնաշխարհի մշակութային զարգացումներում: Սույն ժողովածուն նվիրված է այդ աշխատանքների ամփոփմանը և ներկայացնում է համանուն ցուցահանդեսի ու գիտա ժո ղովի նյութերը: Հատորը նախատեսված է ինչպես նեղ մասնագիտական, այնպես էլ մշակույթով և արվեստով հետաքրքրվող ընթերցող լայն շրջանակների համար: Գիրքը հրատարակվում է ՀՀ ԳԱԱ հնագիտության և ազգա գրու թյան ինստիտուտի, «Էրեբունի» պատմահնագիտական արգելոցթանգարանի, Կալիֆորնիայի համալսարանի Քոթսենի անվան հնագիտության ինստիտուտի և ՀՀ գիտության կոմիտեի 21AG6A080 թեմայի ֆինանսական աջակ ցությամբ: Կազﬕն պատկերված են Գաբրիել Գյուրջյանի «Սևան» (1979 թ.) և «Միջնադարյան ամրոցի ավերակները» (1958 թ.
In this article, the modern methods, in particular, the GIS system, were used to reveal the funct... more In this article, the modern methods, in particular, the GIS system, were used to reveal the function and visualize
the spatial location of fortifications on the slopes of the Sevan and Areguni mountain ranges. Numerous «cyclopean
» fortresses with large cemeteries (cromlechs and barrows) were recorded within this territory. The region is rich
in water resources. Lake Sevan and rivers flowing through mountain gorges were an important factor for the formation
of the settlement system. Summarizing and comparing available data through the GIS system, it becomes
apparent that in the 2nd–1st millennia BC the mountain passes of the Areguni and Sevan ranges represented a system
of roads in the northwestern regions of the Armenian Highlands, around which fortresses and fortified settlements
were grouped. This region played an important role in the historical development of this territory, connecting
the central regions of the Armenian Highlands with the Kura basin and Artsakh valley.
Keywords: Sevan and Areguni mountain ranges, fortified settlement, fortress, fortified sanctuary, Late Bronze Age,
Early Iron Age, GIS.
This article discusses the issue of finding a stone with an Urartian inscription, known as "an Ur... more This article discusses the issue of finding a stone with an Urartian inscription, known as "an Urartian cuneiform inscription from Talish (Aruch)". The author develops his attitudes based on the first report on the discovery of this stone. Particularly N. Marr informes that the discovery of the stone was made in Vankikharaba after which it was transported to Aruch. Afterwards the stone was transported from Aruch to Echmiadzin, where I. Meshchaninov studied it. In this article an assumption is made about the original location of this find which brings new insight on interpretation of this Urartian cuneiform inscription. Vankikharaba is an Early Iron Age (beginning of the 1st millennium BC) huge “cyclopean” fortification, which consists of a fortress, citadel, outer and inner settlements and cemetery.
MAIN STAGES OF INVESTIGATION OF ''CYCLOPEAN'' FORTRESSES IN ARMENIA, 2018
In this article we refer to the history of investigation of the so called ''cyclopean'' fortresse... more In this article we refer to the history of investigation of the so called
''cyclopean'' fortresses in Armenia, conventionally dividing it into three
phases.
1. The first phase of the study of defense systems of ancient Armenia
starts at the end of the 19th century and is connected with the names of
Atrpet, T. Toramanyan, N. Mar (in Shirak and Aragats) and A. Ivanovsky (in
Gavar).
2. The next phase begins in 30's of the 20th century, when A.
Hajyan, L. Gyuzalyan, B. Piotrovskiy studied fortresses in the north-western
parts of the mountain Aragats, I. Meshchaninov, S. Barkhudaryan - in
western and south-western parts of the Sevan Lake basin. In 1960s S. Esayan,
K. Ghafadaryan and S. Chilingaryan continued researches in Tavush region,
and G. Mikaelyan in the Sevan Lake basin. Especially G. Areshyan and K.
Ghafadaryan play an important role in typologizing of Bronze and Iron Age
fortresses in 1980s.
3. Since the 1990s a new phase has began in history of research of
the problem. Armenian-Italian joint archaeological expedition (S.
Hmayakyan, H. Sanamyan and R. Biscione) classified the Sevan Lake basin
defense systems, Armenian-American joint expedition (R. Badalyan, A.
Smith) - that of Aragatsotn region. During 2011-2014 the Institute of
Archaeology and Ethnography, NAS RA excavated in sites Margahovit (Lori
region), Sotk 1, Sotk 2 and Norabak 1 (Gegharkunik region), with special
reference to investigation of fortification systems in order to date them:
already the first results are apparent, which allow separate distinguishing
features among Bronze and Iron Age defensive structures.
The problem of Typology and Dating of "Cyclopean" Fortresses in Armenia, 2020
This article concerns the defensive system of the Bronze and Iron Ages of the Armenian Highlands... more This article concerns the defensive system of the Bronze and Iron Ages of the Armenian Highlands are among the little studied archaeological problems. These buildings are known as “Megalithic structures”, “Cyclopean fortresses” in specialized literature.
Settlement system and hydrology of the southern slopes of the Mount Aragats and the problem of Vishap stone stelae, 2019
This article concerns the possible connection of settlements located on the southern and southeas... more This article concerns the possible connection of settlements located on the southern and southeastern slopes of the Mount Aragats with the vishap stone stelae. Sources of the research are sites dating from the Neolithic period to the Late Iron Age, located within the area under investigation. To characterize the historical and cultural landscape of the studied region, its socio-economic and spiritual aspects, we used modem methods, in particular the GIS system. Artificial reservoirs (canals and ponds) to be mapped reflect the hydrology of Aragats. The roads connecting the sites (settlements with the vishap stone stelae) pass through the high plateaus. Summarizing the results obtained, together with the data mapping, it can be said that during the 3rd ֊ 1st millennia BC the valleys of corresponding river gorges had a developed hydrological system: the roads leading to the gorges were key nodes, around which settlements were grouped, creating interrelated defensive zones. On the Alpine high-mountainous plateaus, at the headwaters of the rivers, the waters of which fed the settlements of Aragats and the Ararat valley, were situated the vishap stone stelae and rock-carvings.
The article summarizes results of archaeological researches of the Gndakar (Topkar) fortified set... more The article summarizes results of archaeological researches of the Gndakar (Topkar) fortified settlement located in the Aragatsotn province of the Republic of Armenia. The site consists of a fortress, a citadel, a settlement and cemeteries to be dated to the II–I millennia BC. The GIS-based analysis of disposition of this fortified settlement enables to conclude that the site possess high-level visibility and can maintain visual contact to other fortified settlements and fortresses in this region. Gndakar is strategically important because its location gave an unobstructed panorama of the road which linked the Ararat valley to Tsaghkahovit.
The aim of this article is to discuss a number of issues connected with fortress building practic... more The aim of this article is to discuss a number of issues connected with fortress building practices of Bronze and Iron Age Armenia based on the material gained by recent excavations of three settlements - Sotk 2, Norabak 1
and Margahovit. According to the data obtained during the archaeological study, the mentioned fortresses can be divided into two chronological phases:
1. Early phase – the Sotk 2 fortress represents a construction of the Middle to Late Bronze Age transitional period (ca. 1500 BC) which is characterized by its simple structures, absence of buttresses, pavements and terrace platforms;
2. Late phase - Norabak 1 and Margahovit fortresses represent a more developed building system with typical tower like buttresses, guarding posts at the entrances, pavements and terrace platforms, which should be typical to the Early and Middle Iron Ages (1000-700 B.C). The later phase fortresses with their towers and buttresses find parallels to fortification systems of Asia Minor and especially that of the Hittite world.
THE PHENOMENON OF «CYCLOPEAN» FORTRESSES BY THE EXAMPLE OF THE SOUTH SLOPE OF MOUNT ARAGATS, 2023
One of the most important and also characteristic moments in the building of fortresses of the Br... more One of the most important and also characteristic moments in the building of fortresses of the Bronze and Iron Ages on the southern slope of Mount Aragats, was the group disposition of defensive systems located at a distance of 1-2 km from each other. A large number of fortresses have been found in the studied area. These are relatively small area structures and next to them there are dwellings, also on a small area, and there was a burial ground around them. This group of defensive systems fully comply to the type of É.GAL(MEŠ) - "fortresses" named in Uraratian cuneiforms. Fortified settlements consist of a fortress, a citadel, tower-like structures, a settlement, and a burial ground. A citadel is a well-defended site of a fortified settlement located on a hill, plateau or promontory, occupying a relatively high position in the area, and residential complexes are located both inside it and outside, on the slopes and foothills of the hill, extending to the nearby plateau. This type of settlement is named in Urartian cuneiform inscriptions with the ideogram URU and is characterized by a permanent population. There were the following types of settlements: URU LUGAL-nu-si - "royal city" and URU(MEŠ) - "city". Fortified sanctuaries are few. Analyzing the surviving complexes, we can assume that they consist of a cromlech surrounded by a wall. Another type of "Cyclopean" structures are castles, which are quite few on the southern slope of Mount Aragats. Combining the above data, we can conclude that the southern slope of Mount Aragats was inhabited from the earliest stages of the development of the culture of the Bronze and Iron Ages. Cyclopean fortresses, as the main type of settlements, appear during the transition from the Middle to the Late Bronze Age (c. 1500 BC), and most of them belong to the Late Bronze Age (1500-1300 BC) and the Early Iron Age (1200–900 BC).
CULTURAL LANDSCAPE OF THE ORGOV ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE CLUSTER DURING THE LATE BRONZE AND EARLY IRON AGES, 2023
The Orgov cluster of archaeological sites is located in the Amberd River valley. Mega-lithic monu... more The Orgov cluster of archaeological sites is located in the Amberd River valley. Mega-lithic monuments here are represented by both "cyclopean" fortresses and burial grounds, "sacred" roads carved into the rock, vishaps and menhirs. The archaeological complex of Orgov consists of two parts. The first part is located on the top of a high cape, rising above the western outskirts of the modern village of the same name, where the fortified settle-ment of Orgov 1 is located, which had its own guard fortress Orgov 2. The second part of archaeological sites extends north from the village of Orgov towards Tirinkatar. This com-plex is formed by Orgov 4 (Kur Tapa / Gaili Blur (Wolf Hill)) and Ermani duz units. The area of Orgov 4 is rich in cemeteries, within their borders there is a menhir with a geome-tric ornament, not far from which there was a vishap. To the north-west of Orgov 4, to-wards Tirinkatar, there is a dried-up lake Ermani duz, on the edge of which there is a forti-fied settlement of Orgov 3. Orgov 5, a recently discovered fortress, ends the Ermani duz place. In the group of sites of Orgov, the recently discovered temple complex of Orgov 6 occupies a special place. It is a tower-like structure with an oval shape in plan.
Տպագրվում է ՀՀ ԳԱԱ հնագիտության և ազգագրության ինստիտուտի ու «Էրեբունի» պատմահնագիտական արգելոց-թ... more Տպագրվում է ՀՀ ԳԱԱ հնագիտության և ազգագրության ինստիտուտի ու «Էրեբունի» պատմահնագիտական արգելոց-թանգարանի գիտական խորհուրդների որոշմամբ Հատորի խմբագիրներ՝ Միքայել Բադալյան Քրիստինե Մարտիրոսյան-Օլշանսկի Արսեն Բոբոխյան ՀՏԴ 902(082) ԳՄԴ 63.4ց43 Ու 229 Ու 229 Ծովային Հայաստան. Ուդուրի-Էթիունի երկրի հնագիտական ժառանգությունը / ՀՀ ԳԱԱ հնագիտության և ազ գագրության ինստի տուտ, «Էրեբունի» պատմահնագիտական արգելոցթանգարան, Կալիֆորնիայի համալսա րա նի Քոթսենի անվան հնագիտության ինստիտուտ: Խմբ.՝ Մ. Բադալյան, Ք. ՄարտիրոսյանՕլշանսկի, Ա. Բոբոխյան,-Եր.: ՀԱԻ հրատ., 2022.-484 էջ: Սևանա լճի ավազանը հարուստ է հնագիտական հուշարձաններով՝ բնակավայրերով, ամրոցներով, դամբա րան նե րով, ժայռապատկերներով, վիշապ կոթողներով, վիմագիր արձանագրություններով: Դրանց հետազոտությունն սկսվել է դեռևս XIX դ., իսկ պեղումներ իրականացվում են XX դ. սկզբից: Հետազոտությունները ցույց են տալիս տա րածաշրջանի խաղացած կարևորագույն դերը Հայկական լեռնաշխարհի մշակութային զարգացումներում: Սույն ժողովածուն նվիրված է այդ աշխատանքների ամփոփմանը և ներկայացնում է համանուն ցուցահանդեսի ու գիտա ժո ղովի նյութերը: Հատորը նախատեսված է ինչպես նեղ մասնագիտական, այնպես էլ մշակույթով և արվեստով հետաքրքրվող ընթերցող լայն շրջանակների համար: Գիրքը հրատարակվում է ՀՀ ԳԱԱ հնագիտության և ազգա գրու թյան ինստիտուտի, «Էրեբունի» պատմահնագիտական արգելոցթանգարանի, Կալիֆորնիայի համալսարանի Քոթսենի անվան հնագիտության ինստիտուտի և ՀՀ գիտության կոմիտեի 21AG6A080 թեմայի ֆինանսական աջակ ցությամբ: Կազﬕն պատկերված են Գաբրիել Գյուրջյանի «Սևան» (1979 թ.) և «Միջնադարյան ամրոցի ավերակները» (1958 թ.
In this article, the modern methods, in particular, the GIS system, were used to reveal the funct... more In this article, the modern methods, in particular, the GIS system, were used to reveal the function and visualize
the spatial location of fortifications on the slopes of the Sevan and Areguni mountain ranges. Numerous «cyclopean
» fortresses with large cemeteries (cromlechs and barrows) were recorded within this territory. The region is rich
in water resources. Lake Sevan and rivers flowing through mountain gorges were an important factor for the formation
of the settlement system. Summarizing and comparing available data through the GIS system, it becomes
apparent that in the 2nd–1st millennia BC the mountain passes of the Areguni and Sevan ranges represented a system
of roads in the northwestern regions of the Armenian Highlands, around which fortresses and fortified settlements
were grouped. This region played an important role in the historical development of this territory, connecting
the central regions of the Armenian Highlands with the Kura basin and Artsakh valley.
Keywords: Sevan and Areguni mountain ranges, fortified settlement, fortress, fortified sanctuary, Late Bronze Age,
Early Iron Age, GIS.
This article discusses the issue of finding a stone with an Urartian inscription, known as "an Ur... more This article discusses the issue of finding a stone with an Urartian inscription, known as "an Urartian cuneiform inscription from Talish (Aruch)". The author develops his attitudes based on the first report on the discovery of this stone. Particularly N. Marr informes that the discovery of the stone was made in Vankikharaba after which it was transported to Aruch. Afterwards the stone was transported from Aruch to Echmiadzin, where I. Meshchaninov studied it. In this article an assumption is made about the original location of this find which brings new insight on interpretation of this Urartian cuneiform inscription. Vankikharaba is an Early Iron Age (beginning of the 1st millennium BC) huge “cyclopean” fortification, which consists of a fortress, citadel, outer and inner settlements and cemetery.
MAIN STAGES OF INVESTIGATION OF ''CYCLOPEAN'' FORTRESSES IN ARMENIA, 2018
In this article we refer to the history of investigation of the so called ''cyclopean'' fortresse... more In this article we refer to the history of investigation of the so called
''cyclopean'' fortresses in Armenia, conventionally dividing it into three
phases.
1. The first phase of the study of defense systems of ancient Armenia
starts at the end of the 19th century and is connected with the names of
Atrpet, T. Toramanyan, N. Mar (in Shirak and Aragats) and A. Ivanovsky (in
Gavar).
2. The next phase begins in 30's of the 20th century, when A.
Hajyan, L. Gyuzalyan, B. Piotrovskiy studied fortresses in the north-western
parts of the mountain Aragats, I. Meshchaninov, S. Barkhudaryan - in
western and south-western parts of the Sevan Lake basin. In 1960s S. Esayan,
K. Ghafadaryan and S. Chilingaryan continued researches in Tavush region,
and G. Mikaelyan in the Sevan Lake basin. Especially G. Areshyan and K.
Ghafadaryan play an important role in typologizing of Bronze and Iron Age
fortresses in 1980s.
3. Since the 1990s a new phase has began in history of research of
the problem. Armenian-Italian joint archaeological expedition (S.
Hmayakyan, H. Sanamyan and R. Biscione) classified the Sevan Lake basin
defense systems, Armenian-American joint expedition (R. Badalyan, A.
Smith) - that of Aragatsotn region. During 2011-2014 the Institute of
Archaeology and Ethnography, NAS RA excavated in sites Margahovit (Lori
region), Sotk 1, Sotk 2 and Norabak 1 (Gegharkunik region), with special
reference to investigation of fortification systems in order to date them:
already the first results are apparent, which allow separate distinguishing
features among Bronze and Iron Age defensive structures.
The problem of Typology and Dating of "Cyclopean" Fortresses in Armenia, 2020
This article concerns the defensive system of the Bronze and Iron Ages of the Armenian Highlands... more This article concerns the defensive system of the Bronze and Iron Ages of the Armenian Highlands are among the little studied archaeological problems. These buildings are known as “Megalithic structures”, “Cyclopean fortresses” in specialized literature.
Settlement system and hydrology of the southern slopes of the Mount Aragats and the problem of Vishap stone stelae, 2019
This article concerns the possible connection of settlements located on the southern and southeas... more This article concerns the possible connection of settlements located on the southern and southeastern slopes of the Mount Aragats with the vishap stone stelae. Sources of the research are sites dating from the Neolithic period to the Late Iron Age, located within the area under investigation. To characterize the historical and cultural landscape of the studied region, its socio-economic and spiritual aspects, we used modem methods, in particular the GIS system. Artificial reservoirs (canals and ponds) to be mapped reflect the hydrology of Aragats. The roads connecting the sites (settlements with the vishap stone stelae) pass through the high plateaus. Summarizing the results obtained, together with the data mapping, it can be said that during the 3rd ֊ 1st millennia BC the valleys of corresponding river gorges had a developed hydrological system: the roads leading to the gorges were key nodes, around which settlements were grouped, creating interrelated defensive zones. On the Alpine high-mountainous plateaus, at the headwaters of the rivers, the waters of which fed the settlements of Aragats and the Ararat valley, were situated the vishap stone stelae and rock-carvings.
The article summarizes results of archaeological researches of the Gndakar (Topkar) fortified set... more The article summarizes results of archaeological researches of the Gndakar (Topkar) fortified settlement located in the Aragatsotn province of the Republic of Armenia. The site consists of a fortress, a citadel, a settlement and cemeteries to be dated to the II–I millennia BC. The GIS-based analysis of disposition of this fortified settlement enables to conclude that the site possess high-level visibility and can maintain visual contact to other fortified settlements and fortresses in this region. Gndakar is strategically important because its location gave an unobstructed panorama of the road which linked the Ararat valley to Tsaghkahovit.
The aim of this article is to discuss a number of issues connected with fortress building practic... more The aim of this article is to discuss a number of issues connected with fortress building practices of Bronze and Iron Age Armenia based on the material gained by recent excavations of three settlements - Sotk 2, Norabak 1
and Margahovit. According to the data obtained during the archaeological study, the mentioned fortresses can be divided into two chronological phases:
1. Early phase – the Sotk 2 fortress represents a construction of the Middle to Late Bronze Age transitional period (ca. 1500 BC) which is characterized by its simple structures, absence of buttresses, pavements and terrace platforms;
2. Late phase - Norabak 1 and Margahovit fortresses represent a more developed building system with typical tower like buttresses, guarding posts at the entrances, pavements and terrace platforms, which should be typical to the Early and Middle Iron Ages (1000-700 B.C). The later phase fortresses with their towers and buttresses find parallels to fortification systems of Asia Minor and especially that of the Hittite world.