The Van Museum in eastern Turkey has unveiled a fascinating artifact that offers a unique glimpse into the lives of women from the distant past. An Urartian female footprint, size 36, uncovered in 2018 during excavations at the mound north of Van Castle, is exhibited for the first time.
The footprint, found on a piece of clay brick, serves as a testament to the daily life and labor of women thousands of years ago. After a mold was taken, it was carefully removed and preserved.
Dated to the Post-Urartian or Late Iron Age period between the 6th and 9th centuries BCE, anthropologists confirmed the footprint belongs to an Urartian woman. "This footprint is a silent witness to the daily life, labor, and presence of women thousands of years ago," noted Bülent Demir, the Museum Director.
Demir pointed out that the details in the historical discovery indicate the active participation of women in making adobe, which ethnographic studies show was mostly carried out by households, especially women. The excavation was led by Professor Erkan Konyar from Istanbul University.
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