This is an inspiring story. This video captures the incredible story of Mehmet Kushman, a passionate museum guard in Turkey who taught himself the ancient Urartian language, despite his limited formal education. Born in 1940 in Van, Turkey, Mehmet Kushman was captivated by Urartian inscriptions and dedicated his life to deciphering the script and contributing to the preservation of Urartian culture. His journey reflects a deep commitment to ancient history and the study of early civilizations, particularly those that flourished in the ancient Near East, such as the Urartians, Sumerians, and Assyrians. The Urartians, much like the Sumerians and Akkadians, were integral to Mesopotamian history and made significant contributions to ancient civilizations, particularly through their unique language and inscriptions, which have become crucial elements of archaeological research and historical linguistics today.
Through self-study, Kushman pieced together an understanding of Urartian, an ancient language that relies heavily on syllabic scripts and complex signs, unlike more modern single-letter scripts. Similar to the ancient cuneiform writing of the Sumerians and Akkadians, Urartian is composed of intricate symbols and cuneiform signs that represent syllables or entire words, reflecting the linguistic diversity and complexity of early Mesopotamian and Anatolian civilizations. This historical region, which includes places like the ancient city of Babylon and other significant locations of the Neo-Assyrian and Persian Empires, has been a focal point for studies in archaeology and epigraphy.
Kushman’s story is a unique example of heritage preservation; his work preserves not only Urartian culture but also enriches our understanding of the broader context of ancient languages and artifacts in the ancient Near East. His efforts resonate with those studying the Bronze Age and Iron Age, where languages like Old Persian, Akkadian, and Aramaic were dominant, each contributing to the cultural heritage of the Mediterranean and the Anatolian region. The preservation of these ancient scripts and texts provides valuable insights into the past and helps modern researchers uncover the legacy of civilizations that flourished alongside the Urartians, such as the Phoenicians, Hittites, and other empires of the classical antiquity.
Kushman’s method of traveling across regions-often without a passport-to record inscriptions highlights the challenges in early archaeological endeavors. Like many archaeological sites with ancient ruins, inscriptions, and temples, Urartian sites hold clues about the past that are critical to our understanding of the early empires and the cultural exchanges that took place across the ancient trade routes connecting Mesopotamia, Anatolia, and the Mediterranean.
Ancient alphabets, like those of the Akkadians and the Neo-Assyrian scripts, reveal a world where each culture developed its own means of written communication, often leading to unique languages and alphabets that embody their cultural identity. The preservation of these ancient alphabets and scripts through the dedicated work of scholars and enthusiasts alike is an essential part of cultural heritage and historical preservation.
In this video, Kushman speaks passionately about how he sees himself as a guardian of Urartian history, similar to how ancient manuscripts, ziggurats, temples, and myths are protected for future generations. The temples and monuments of the Urartians, similar to those in ancient Mesopotamia, often contain inscriptions honoring gods and recounting mythology, providing insight into ancient religion and the mythology that shaped these cultures. Urartian religion and mythology, like that of the Assyrians and Sumerians, is an essential element of the cultural identity preserved through these inscriptions and artifacts.
This cross-cultural interest reflects the universal value of Kushman’s dedication to epigraphy, archaeology, and linguistic anthropology. By making a tangible connection between the ancient world and the present day, Kushman’s contributions serve as a reminder of the richness of ancient cultures and the importance of studying early languages to preserve humanity’s collective history.
As an active figure in the study of Urartian artifacts and ancient manuscripts, Mehmet Kushman’s legacy is a testament to the power of individual passion in preserving cultural heritage. In this way, he contributes not only to the local understanding of Urartian culture but also to the broader discourse on early empires, ancient alphabets, and the linguistic traditions that have influenced civilizations throughout history. His story exemplifies how an individual’s dedication can bridge the gap between ancient history and modern understanding, preserving invaluable cultural knowledge for generations to come.
25 окт 2024
