Pioneer of Urartology, orientalist K.F. Lehmann-Haupt (1861–1938) during his research of the Armenian Highlands and Northern Mesopotamia (1898–1899), among other ancient sites, also researched the probable region of Musasir, the religious center of the Kingdom of Van. Discussing the problems of the early period of the history of Van Kingdom (Urartu), the scientist considered as a special topic of a deep research the spread of the cult of the god Khaldi in the capital Tushpa and other areas out of the city. It is noteworthy, that in this context the researcher was the first to conduct a scientific discussion on the circumstances of the location of the bilingual inscription of Kelishin of Musasir region, its dates, about the scribe who recorded it, also the language of the inscriptions. According to K.F. Lehmann-Haupt, the city of Musasir was probably founded in the 9th century BCE and the cult of the god Khaldi was established there. The researcher believes that Menua’s brother, Sarduri was appointed viceroy in Musasir and there was a statue dedicated to him in the temple of Musasir the presence of which was evidenced in the description about the invasion of Urartu in 714 BCE by the Assyrian king Sargon II (721–705 BCE). Examining the road from Van to Musasir, K.F. Lehmann-Haupt considers it as a result of the Biainian engineering mind and notes that it was also built in accordance with the features of the transportation of the Biainian army.

KeywordsK.F. Lehmann-Haupt Assyria Biainili Tushpa Ardini-Musasir god Khaldi bilingual inscription

During their 1898–1899 journey through the Armenian Highlands and Northern Mesopotamia, the German orientalist C.F. Lehmann-Haupt and the chemist W. Belck, among other archaeological sites, also explored the supposed region of Musasir, the spiritual center of Biainili-Urartu. It is noteworthy that they also copied the Topzawa inscription, already known from various testimonies.1 According to C.F. Lehmann-Haupt, this bilingual inscription constitutes a primary source for reconstructing the events that unfolded between Urartu and Assyria during the reign of Rusa, son of Sarduri. It is noteworthy that a number of reconstructions suggested by this pioneer of Urartian studies in connection with the Topzawa inscription remain debated and contested to this day. They concerned the identity of the king who left the inscription, the chronology and nature of the events described, as well as the causes and route of the Assyrian king Sargon II’s campaign against Urartu in 714 BCE (reigned 721–705 BCE).2 At the beginning of the twentieth century, when C.F. Lehmann-Haupt addressed the route of Sargon II’s campaign in the Urmian basin, the boundaries of Urartu were still unclear, and his hypotheses were largely disregarded.

KeywordsTopzawa inscription Lake Urmia Mana Musasir Sargon II Urzana campaign.