Altintepe Urartian Ruins Altintepe Ruins, located in the Üzümlü district of Erzincan Province, overlook the Euphrates River. The site, dating back to the 9th to 7th century BCE, is an Urartian fortress, temple and archaeological site, and served as a strategic fortress during the reigns of the Roman and Ottoman Empires. The ruins were discovered in 1938 during the construction of the region's railway, and excavated between 1959 and 1968 by Professor Dr. Tahsin Özgüç. In 2003, excavations resumed by the decision of the Council of Ministers, revealing a great hall, temple, warehouse, city walls, and three chamber tombs. The Altintepe church, a religious site from the Byzantine Empire, features mosaic floors on three naves with colorful geometric shapes and figures portraying plants and animals. Archeologists have discovered various objects from the ancient burial mound dating back to the 8th century BC, such as ivory and metal objects, decorated helmets and shields, ceramic objects, wall tiles, and a bronze plaque with cuneiform text and profiles of kings. These discoveries, alongside other significant findings from Urartu, are now showcased at the Ankara Anatolian Civilizations Museum. The figures and motifs of gods, humans, and animals among the Altintepe finds are of great importance.