Excavation works have been carried out since 1989 in the castle, which was built on a hill in the northwest of Ayanis Village, 35 kilometers from Van. It has been possible to identify the castle specifics thanks to the architectural and other small finds obtained as a result of the excavations. When analyzing the cuneiform inscription found, it is understood that the castle was built by Rusa, son of Argişti, between 645-643 BC. There is an entrance gate to the south of the castle, which is surrounded by two fortification walls. In addition to its architecture and small finds from excavations, the castle is important in terms of illuminating the last phases of Urartian history.
