Cuneiform stele of King Rusa II

The cuneiform inscription of King Rusa II of Van. The Kingdom of Van (Urartu, Biainili or the Kingdom of Ararat) was a powerful ancient state in Western Asia that existed in the 9th–6th centuries BC on the Armenian Highlands.

The text on the basalt stele concerns the building of a canal from the Hrazdan (Ildaruni) River and the sacrifices offered to the gods on that occasion. Rusa II (680–640 BC) inherited a large state weakened by wars and began extensive construction: on his orders cities, roads, a water conduit and canals were built, one of which still bears his name. Some date the founding of the temple that preceded Zvartnots to his reign.

The photograph shows a tall dark stone stele, entirely covered with cuneiform signs, standing beside a tree.