South Western Journal of Vol.10, No.1, 2019 Horticulture, Biology and Environment pp.15-27 P-Issn: 2067- 9874, E-Issn: 2068-7958 Art.no. e19102

A BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF EXTERIOR RELIEFS OF AKDAMAR CATHEDRAL IN VAN/: RELIEF OF BIRDS

Özdemir ADIZEL1, Erkan AZIZOĞLU1 and Mehmet Zülfü YILDIZ2,*

1. Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Van/ Turkey. 2. Adıyaman University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Adıyaman/ Turkey. *Correspondence, E-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT. Historical Akdamar Cathedral is located on an island on . The cathedral was built eleven centuries ago. The building has numerous exterior reliefs that encircle the Cathedral and are composed of four levels. They include historical, religious, and cultural compositions along with animal figures. Alongside the human relief sculptures on the building, the bird and mammal figures are very important in terms of reflecting the biological richness of the region. For this study, detailed photographs of the bird reliefs on the exterior walls of the Cathedral have been taken. The description of bird species on the reliefs are compared with the figures of the present-day bird species. Therefore, the similarity between the bird fauna of the region in the past and its current condition and the biological diversity of the bird species at that time are identified. Thus, it is revealed that nineteen species of bird living in the region at that time were engraved and immortalized.

KEY WORDS: Akdamar Island, Akdamar Cathedral, Relief, Van, Bird Fauna.

INTRODUCTION

Cathedral of the Holy Cross of Akdamar (Fig. 1a) was built on a small island on Lake Van in eastern Turkey (Cengiz 1996, Freisitzer 2006). The island that is located four kilometers away from the south shore of Lake Van is namesake with the Cathedral (Cengiz 1996, Karaca 1999) (Fig. 1b). The Cathedral was built by Monk-Architect Manuel under the surveillance of Vasbouragan King Gagik I between 915 - 921 AC. Reliefs of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross show the magnificence and wealth of Christian and Islamic cultures. Cathedral of Akdamar reliefs originated from Biblical 16 Ö. Adizel et al. stories (Nersessian 1965, 1974, Ibşiroglu 1963, 2003, Otto-Dorn1967, 1987) and Turkish-Islamic figures (Vahramian 1987). The reliefs, which are located on the upside of the Cathedral, give important clues about the belief system, culture, and daily life of the community that built the cathedral in addition to the reliefs of animals living around the region (Freisitzer 2006, Krikorian 2002, Güzel 2003). The Cathedral has had additions and restorations a few times after it was built. The latest one was done by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey between 2005 and 2007 by abiding its originality and opened for visits again (Öztürk et al. 2007). Evliya Çelebi mentioned Akdamar Cathedral in his travel book “Seyahatname” (Çevik 1993) but most of the studies about the building were written after 1960s. In these studies; the history, structure, architecture, interior and exterior ornaments, additions, and restorations are discussed (Freisitzer 2006, Ibsiroglu 1963, Otto-Dorn 1963, Davies 1991, Krikorian 2002, Lehner 2004, Öztürk et.al. 2007). In many sources about the Cathedral, besides the general information, the richness of the reliefs of the building's exterior walls is expressed and its uniqueness is emphasized in terms of art history (Freisitzer 2006, Ibşiroğlu 1963, Vahramian 1987, Davies 1991, Cuneo 1988) (Fig. 1b). The direction of sunlight has an important role in making the reliefs visible. It is stated that the reliefs become very apparent under intensive light and become indistinct or shadowy in hazy weather. The reason for this phenomenon is that the surface of reliefs is flat (Ibşiroğlu 1963, 2003, Vahramian 1987). Various authors have studied the relief sculptures and specifically documented the plant figures or mammalian animals (Freisitzer 2006, Ibşiroğlu 1963, Otto-Dorn 1963, Güzel 2003, Adızel et al. 2018). In this study, the bird reliefs on the external walls of the Cathedral are exclusively analyzed and compared with the present-day bird species. The purpose of this study is to assess the reliefs of bird species, which are approximately 1100 years old, from a biological point of view. These species, which had lived in the region where Akdamar Cathedral was built, still exist today (Adızel 1998, Kiziroğlu 2015). This study aims to open a window to the bird biodiversity of the past going back to thousand years ago by looking the bird reliefs on the exterior walls of Akdamar Cathedral.

Biological assessment of Akdamar Cathedral in Turkey 17

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Most of the studies about the reliefs consider 4 relief levels that surround the exterior walls of the Cathedral. In these studies, those levels are named as 1, 2, 3, 4 or A, B, C, D. In order to indicate the place of any relief, level name and its direction were used. The same method was used in this study as well. Detailed photographs of the reliefs were taken in April and May of 2014 and 2015. Since vaporization in those months is relatively low, the quality of the photographs is enhanced. During the following period, hundreds of detailed photographs were classified and biologically assessed. Identification of the bird species and their current status were considered as the important criteria. The species were classified by comparing the relief pictures and current species morphologies that resemble those most.

RESULTS

Exterior reliefs of Akdamar Cathedral are divided into three main groups. The first one is the relief about the belief systems, culture, and daily life. The second group reliefs describe predator and non-predator mammals. Finally, the third group is birds. Other than those, a few numbers of fish, reptiles, and plant reliefs are present. Here, the reliefs belong to the bird class were assessed. In general, the same bird species was repeated on different parts of the building with a small detail and decoration difference. As a result of the analyses, the most important bird reliefs and comments are provided below:

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) or Graylag Goose (Anser anser) Species-1: Cygnus cygnus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Whooper Swan) Species-2: Anser anser (Linnaeus, 1758) (Greylag Goose) Particularly the neck posture of the bird on the relief resembles a typical swan or a goose posture (Fig. 1c). Because of the decay on the relief, it was not possible to reach a more accurate decision on the species since Lesser White Goose, Graylag Goose, and Whooper Swan are known to come to the region to spend the winter, there is a possibility that the relief is either a goose or a swan.

Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) Species-3: Tadorna tadorna (Linnaeus, 1758) (Common Shelduck) 18 Ö. Adizel et al.

Figure1 a) General view of Akdamar Island and Cathedral b) Exterior view of Akdamar Cathedral with reliefs, c) Relief of Anser anser, d) Relief of Tadorna tadorna e) Relief of Accipiter nisus or A. gentilis.

The bird relief seen in Figure 1d is the Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna). On the relief, the breast band of the species is much distinct on male individuals while it is less apparent on females. On the relief, the courtship behavior from male to female is shown. This species continues to Biological assessment of Akdamar Cathedral in Turkey 19

live in the region just like they did in the past. Yet, it is under intense hunting danger.

Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) or Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) Species-4: Accipiter nisus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Eurasian Sparrowhawk) Species-5: Accipiter gentilis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Northern Goshawk) The bird in this image (Fig. 1e) resembles Eurasian Sparrowhawk with its lank and frail looking. The length of its tail feather is an important clue. In the area, the most seen ones from Accipitridae are Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) and Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis).

Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus) or Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) Species-6: Buteo rufinus (Cretzschmar, 1827) (Long-legged Buzzard) Species-7: Buteo buteo (Linnaeus, 1758) (Common Buzzard) In these reliefs (Fig. 1a, b), buzzard images are observed that are slimmer than eagles. In the area, Long-legged buzzard is a more common species than Common Buzzard.

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) Species-8: Aquila chrysaetos (Linnaeus, 1758) (Golden Eagle) The images of a strong and powerful predator bird on the reliefs rather fit an eagle but it is hard to decide which species of eagle. However, the most frequent species of the eagles in the area is the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). In the relief images; copulation (Fig. 2c) and hunting (Fig. 2d) behaviors and dignified eagle posture (Fig. 2e) are described.

Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) or Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) Species-9: Falco tinnunculus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Common Kestrel) Species-10: Falco naumanni (Fleischer, 1818) (Lesser kestrel) The general view of the bird on this relief mostly resembles a falcon amongst the predator birds (Fig. 2f). The stain on the head mostly resembles the Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) or Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni). It is known that many falcon species live in the catchment along with Common kestrel.

Common peafowl (Pavo cristatus) or Green peafowl (Pavo muticus) Species-11: Pavo cristatus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Common peafowl) 20 Ö. Adizel et al.

Figure 2 a, b) Relief of Buteo rufinus or B. buteo c, d, e) Relief of Aquila chrysaetos, f) Relief of Falco tinnunculus or F naumanni.

Species-12: Pavo muticus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Green Peafowl) The relief image (Fig. 3a) belongs to a Peafowl but it is difficult to identify its species. Peafowls did not have a natural distribution in the region in the past as they were brought to the region. The numerous designs of their tail Biological assessment of Akdamar Cathedral in Turkey 21

feathers and feather protrusion on the head are species-specific. All these details are distinct on the relief.

Figure 3 a) Relief of Pavo cristatus or P. muticus b) Relief of Numida meleagris c) Relief of Gallus gallus domesticus d, e) Relief of Alectoris chukar, f) Relief of Coturnix coturnix.

22 Ö. Adizel et al.

Helmeted Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris) Species-13: Numida meleagris (Linnaeus, 1758) (Helmeted Guinea Fowl) The posture of the tail, details on the head, and general dotted characteristic of the body displays a typical Helmeted Guinea Fowl (Fig. 3b). It has no natural distribution in the region. They were brought as livestock to the region.

Domestic Rooster (Gallus gallus domesticus) Species-14: Gallus gallus domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Domestic Rooster) In the figure (Fig. 3c), cockfighting is displayed. In the region, both fighting cocks and other barndoor fowls have been raised since old times.

Chuckar (Alectoris chukar) Species-15: Alectoris chukar (Gray, 1830) (Chuckar) Beak, neck, and body postures of the bird on these reliefs look like Chuckar (Alectoris chukar) (Fig. 3d, e). It is known that flocks of Chuckar live in the area today as well.

Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix) Species-16: Coturnix coturnix (Linnaeus, 1758) (Common Quail) The species on this relief is Common Quail (Coturnix cotunix). Especially the shortness of tail feathers in the image is very distinctive for Common Quail (Fig. 3f).

Great Bustard (Otis tarda) Species-17: Otis tarda (Linnaeus, 1758) (Great Bustard) On the following relief, pictures were taken from the cathedral wall correspond with Great Bustard (Adızel, 1998). Especially tail and wing postures of the Great Bustard during courtship dance were described very well on the reliefs (Fig. 4a, b). Besides its general body structure; its neck, beak, and leg structures are quite clear. While the Great Bustard was a quite common species in the region in the past, it tries to survive in small groups today (Adızel 1998, Kiziroğlu 2015).

Armenian Gull (Larus armenicus) Species-18: Larus armenicus Buturlin 1934 (Armenian Gull) The general appearance of the birds on the reliefs typically describes a gull (Fig. 4c,f). In the area, it is known that Armenian Gull (Larus Biological assessment of Akdamar Cathedral in Turkey 23

armenicus) incubates on the islands as big colonies and spreads around the whole catchment after reproduction.

Figure 4 a, b) Relief of Otis tarda c, f) Relief of Larus armenicus, d) Relief of Streptopelia decaocto e) Relief of Columba livia.

Common Pigeon (Columba livia) Species-19: Columba livia (Gmelin, 1789) (Common Pigeon) The general view of the relief fits a pigeon (Fig. 4e). The wing action done by the male pigeon to appeal the female during courtship period is clear on the image. There are flocks of Common Pigeon (Columba livia) living in the area. Most people consider Common Pigeon among the holy 24 Ö. Adizel et al. species. Therefore, there is not much hunting danger for it.

Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) Species-20: Streptopelia decaocto (Frivaldszky, 1838) (Collared Dove) On this relief, Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) is present (Fig. 4d). The typical dove couple necking on the relief is remarkable. Moreover, eggs and snake details are other remarkable figures.

DISCUSSIONS

232 bird species are distributed in Van basin nowadays (Adızel et al. 2016, 2017). As a result of the study, images were obtained on the exterior reliefs of Akdamar Cathedral show 19 bird species other than Rooster (Tab. 1). In the studies done to identify the bird species on these reliefs, some of the images were undoubtedly clear while others could only be guessed by considering all the possibilities (Adızel 1998, Kiziroğlu 2015). The human beings have always been interested in birds. Some bird species are hunted, some of them are fed for their appearance, voice, eggs, meat, and the like. For this reason, many arts have used birds as an object d'art in their fields. Akdamar Cathedral reliefs gave some important clues about the biological diversity of the region. With this study, 19 bird species were identified belonging to 7 orders and 9 families (Tab. 1). All identified bird species live still in the Lake Van basin and have wide distribution areas except Great Bustard. Great Bustard is distributed in western and eastern Anatolia as small and intermittent populations (Karataş & Özelmas 2013, Karakaya et al. 2017). The nearest known locality of Great Bustard to the research area, Akdamar Church, is Muş Plain (in Muş province) at the present time (Karakaş & Akarsu 2009). The populations size of some bird species obtained from the reliefs have generally decreased (for example; Whooper Swan, Graylag Goose, Common Shelduck, Golden Eagle). However, the population size of some bird species have increased such as Collared Dove and Common pigeon. These two species are accepted as sacred birds by local people. Therefore, these species are not hunted in the region although they have been hunted in other regions of the world. This may be one reason the artist selected these species for reliefs of the Church. Armenian Gull is the most common bird species of these 19 bird species. It is incubated on 4 Biological assessment of Akdamar Cathedral in Turkey 25

Table 1. Ornithological assessment of bird reliefs described on the exterior walls of Akdamar Cathedral (classification was made according to Adızel 1998 and Kiziroğlu 2015).

Order Family Species Anseriformes Anatidae Cygnus cygnus Anser anser Tadorna tadorna Accipitriformes Accipitridae Accipiter nisus Accipiter gentilis Buteo rufinus Buteo buteo Aquila chrysaetos Falconiformes Falconidae Falco naumanni Falco tinnunculus Galliformes Phasianidae Pavo cristatus Pavo muticus Alectoris chukar Coturnix cotunix Numididae Numida meleagris Gallus g. domesticus Otidiformes Otididae Otis tarda Charadiriformes Laridae Larus armenicus Columbiformes Columbidae Columba livia Streptopelia decaocto

islands on Lake Van. The eggs of Armenian Gull are collected by local people to be eaten. As a result of this study, no difference was observed between the 19 bird species of the region which were described 11 centuries ago and these species still live in the region today. Additionally, it is seen that these 19 bird species attracted the attention of people in the past as they do today. However, when the details of the reliefs are assessed, it can be concluded that human beings are interested in the behavior and ecology of birds in the past and present. The selected species are important species for human beings such as hunting birds, sacred birds, slightly birds, or barndoor fowls. The reliefs described in this study create an important resource about birds 26 Ö. Adizel et al. for the researchers from other professional groups who might conduct scientific research in the region.

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