TruthArchive.ai - Tweets Saved By @santobartez

Posted - June 11, 2025 at 12:11 PM

Saved - June 11, 2025 at 2:08 PM

reSee.it AI Summary

I often find myself captivated by dolmens, especially those in the Caucasus region near the Black Sea. One unique dolmen near Gelendzhik, dating back to around 3000-2700 BC, stands out due to its rare embossed decorations and solitary nature. While many dolmens are grouped together, this one suggests a special significance. Although they are often thought to be tombs, their original purpose remains uncertain. I've also noticed similarities with dolmens in France, raising questions about design connections. The craftsmanship involved in these structures is remarkable, leaving us to ponder their true purpose.

@santobartez - Santo Bartez

1/6 🧵Of the things that live rent free in my mind, there's an entire subdivision for dolmens particularly the ones in the Caucasus region near the Black Sea. Lets look at this specific one that has a story its trying to tell.. if only we still spoke the language. https://t.co/T3dpYZWIXp

@santobartez - Santo Bartez

2/ This dolmen is located near Gelendzhik, in a village named Shiroka Shchel (Широкая Щель). Its situated in a small park behind a few stores. In a region with literally thousands of dolmens, this one is a rarity. Very few have the embossed decorative elements. Its said to be roughly dated around ~3000BC to ~2700BC.

@santobartez - Santo Bartez

3/ The dolmens in this region are usually clumped into groups of 3 to 5. A solitary dolmen is another rarity. Combined with the extra work to create the embossed design, this dolmen was special to the local peoples. The solitary dolmens are typically passage type dolmens similar to those seen in western Europe. The last image is an example of a different dolmen in the area to illustrate the walls that would have been standing.

@santobartez - Santo Bartez

4/ The prevailing theory is these were tombs, based on bones found in some of them. Just because its purpose became a tomb doesn't necessarily mean it was intended to be a tomb. The interior has a thick slab floor and worked inner surfaces on the walls. Other dolmens in the region have been found with carved designs on the interior.

@santobartez - Santo Bartez

5/ By now you've probably noticed the "elephant in the room". The nubs. I don't have an extensive collection of dolmens in my archives.. but I have two.. and they're thousands of miles apart. I'm sure I would be told its a just a coincidence and unrelated design choices. Images 3-4 are from Allée couverte de Tressé in France

@santobartez - Santo Bartez

6/ The dolmens of the Caucasus area all exhibit a type of shared central planning and a high degree of masonry skill to quarry, move and erect these monuments. Some seem almost over engineered with large capstones and worked interiors. Theories abound on their use from resonance to housing for dwarves to necropolises. The truth probably lies sometime in the middle.. and is lost to time. Thank you for reading this far. Take care.

@santobartez — Santo Bartez

Posted - March 12, 2025 at 12:15 PM

Saved - March 13, 2025 at 11:16 AM

reSee.it AI Summary

I apologize for missing last week's thread; my time management isn't great. This week, I explored Teishebaini, an ancient Urartian capital founded by King Rusa II near modern Yerevan. Excavations since the 1930s revealed its impressive metalwork and masonry, though much has been lost to looting. I was particularly intrigued by the nubs on the polygonal walls, which seem unique. While I initially thought they were reused materials, they may reflect cultural exchanges with the Assyrians. There's still much to uncover beneath the rubble, and I appreciate you following along.

@santobartez - Santo Bartez

1/9 🧵Apologies for no thread last week. I'm bad at organizing my time. Often when researching a topic another breadcrumb-trail will appear & since I have low impulse control I follow it... which lead me to Teishebaini in Armenia because (spoiler) it has nubs. Lets check it out. https://t.co/k2Xg9pKp6V

@santobartez - Santo Bartez

2/ Teishebaini (Karmir Blur) was an ancient Urartian capital said to be founded by King Rusa II (685-645 BC) near modern Yerevan, Armenia. Named after one of the three major gods, Teisheba, it was destroyed ~590BC by Scythians. https://t.co/gTVHf4hmzM

@santobartez - Santo Bartez

3/ Teishebaini has been excavated multiple times starting in the 1930s when cuniform inscriptions were found on site. Tombs in the mid 2010s added more context to this site showing the Urartians to be masters of metal working and masonry although very little of that remains today.

@santobartez - Santo Bartez

4/ Its those few scraps of finely worked basalt that are a stark contrast against the roughly shaped polygonal walls that remain today. Maybe because "good enough" was indeed good, enough? Teishebaini was built with basalt and mudbrick. Its been extensively looted by the locals up till the 1930s when finally prohibited by law. Many nearby houses feature rock from Teishebaini.

@santobartez - Santo Bartez

5/ So where are the nubs you ask? Here's the picture that out of context drew me into looking at Teishebaini. Nubbed polygonal walls aren't new. But a rough polygonal wall with such large nubs is to me. https://t.co/DumUFTfuAr

@santobartez - Santo Bartez

6/ This isn't the only example at Teishebaini. At first my idea was reuse, but looking further at other Urartian sites, they often built this way. Urartu and Assyrians exchanged ideas between them (like cuniform) was the expression of nubs part of that exchange or from another culture?

@santobartez - Santo Bartez

7/ To me more questions are asked then answered. If these are lifting bosses they're oddly placed unless it was just one giant block that got broken into pieces at the work site, and why not remove the bosses afterwards? I imagine many other nubbed blocks were at the site that are now simply gone.

@santobartez - Santo Bartez

8/ I think there's still much more to discover under the rubble of the melted mudbricks. And how much has been lost to quarrying and looting? Its really speculation at this point. One final thing.. a scrap of bronze helmet was found with the "tree of life" motif.. and handbags, part of that Assyrian influence I guess.

@santobartez - Santo Bartez

9/ I'll end this thread here. Thanks for reading this far I do appreciate it. Here are a few other pictures.. this place must've been a real sight when it was at its zenith before being razed and looted. https://t.co/crDJJD5nyH