In Turkey, man preserves ancient kingdom’s lost language
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In eastern Turkey, 86-year-old Mehmet Kusman dedicates his life to remembering the kingdom of Urartu, a civilization that flourished between the 9th and 7th centuries BC.
After working on archaeological digs at the fortress of Cavuştepe, Kusman began teaching himself the Urartian language, inspired by inscriptions he found on site. Despite lacking formal training, he spent over two decades deciphering the cuneiform alphabet borrowed from Assyrian and learned 650 words of the language.
Historians acknowledge Kusman’s dedication as a unique local phenomenon, noting that while he can read the inscriptions, the language’s pronunciation remains largely unknown. They also point out that even during Urartu’s time, the language was primarily written, not spoken by the general population. Kusman considers himself a descendant of the Urartu people and continues to share his knowledge with visitors at Cavuştepe, even after his retirement in 2005.
Archaeologists are currently excavating other Urartian fortresses, including Ayanis, hoping to uncover more information about the kingdom’s decline, possibly linked to a significant earthquake. While experts say Kusman’s knowledge is general, they admire his passion for preserving Urartu’s cultural heritage.
