Van-Urmia culture
Middle Bronze Age cultures in northern regions of West Asia | |
| Alternative names | Karmirvank culture, Kyzilvank culture |
|---|---|
| Geographical range | Urmia basin, South Caucasus |
| Period | Bronze Age |
| Dates | circa 2200 B.C.E. — circa 1300 B.C.E. |
| Major sites | Haftavān Tepe |
| Preceded by | Kura-Araxes culture |
| Followed by | Grooved ware, Grey ware |
The Van-Urmia culture was a Bronze Age culture responsible for painted ceramics (also called Urmia Ware) that spread around Lake Urmia (north-west Iran) and Lake Van (eastern Anatolia), extending into the parts of the South Caucasus. In post-Soviet sources, it is known as Karmirvank or Kizylvank culture, based on the name of a site in Nakhichevan. The term “Urmia style” or “Urmia Ware” was first applied by archaeologist Michael R. Edwards to pottery found at the site of Haftavān Tepe (in the Urmia basin) at the VI B level of excavation. Later discovery of similar pottery in the Van region prompted the use of the term “Van-Urmia”.