Research Center for History and Archaeology of Van Region at Istanbul University was established in 1967 by Prof. Afif Erzen. VANTAM in short, the Center became official on May25th, 1967 following the publication of its directorate in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Turkey.
Since its inception, cultural and social research conducted at VANTAM covers the whole East Anatolia having its focus on the province of Van. Besides Professor Erzen, leading scholars in various fields such as Professors Taner Tarhan, Oktay Belli, Veli Sevin, Ali Dinçol, Belkıs Dinçol, and Altan Çilingiroğlu conducted research the Center, which became the hub of scientific explorations. The Center also supported numerous BA and MA theses along with PhD dissertations.
At the time of its establishment, the Center became the leading institute mainly for archaeological excavations and surveys in the region. Leading scholars of Istanbul University contributed to the development of the Center. Both graduate and undergraduate students that worked in the region benefited from the Center while the Center provided them institutional support as these students and researchers contributed to the science through their research. Both national and international researchers from diverse fields of research and stake holders have been supporting scientific research that help us understand the culture and geography of the region through VANTAM.
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The main objective of the Center is to conduct interdisciplinary research that centered around social, economic, natural, and archaeological history of the wider region, which encompasses East Anatolia, the Caucasus, and Iran. Subjecting the inter-regional relationships among these regions for extensive research around social and natural sciences along with the humanities constitutes the main objective of the Center. Along these lines, the Center primarily focuses on leading research in social sciences and humanities while coordinating research among national and international researchers to develop collaboration.
VANTAM provides research facilities for academicians that work in Van region, East Anatolia, the Caucasus, and Iran. Consequently, the Center aims to contribute to the development of national and international dialogue centered around academic and scientific research. The Center has long been developing and maintaining infrastructure for scientific research under the auspices of Istanbul University. The infrastructure at the Center is used to support scientific research through social work and applied projects, which will expose science and scientific research to a wider audience.
Van region sits at the center of the route that connects East Anatolia-the Caucasus-Mesopotamia-Iran. As result, the region has been the scene of continuous interaction that made Van a commercial and cultural center. Archaeological research and surveys revealed material cultural heritage, all of which are on display at the Museum and at sites. Additionally, research in the region revealed tangible and intangible cultural heritage (i.e., customs and traditions, artisanship, folk dance, music, cuisine), which reflect the diversity and richness of the region.
Archaeologically speaking, the region has been frequently associated with the Urartian Kingdom, whose capital was located at Van, however the Center places equal emphasis on archaeological cultures and civilizations that pre- and post-date the Urartian Kingdom.
Van region has also been at the forefront for its natural heritage. The geography of the region offers diverse flora and fauna. Although the region has become famous for its endemic fish of pearl mullet (Alburnus tarichi), other natural heritage includes plants with medical purposes and endemic plants for various purposes.
The Center offers a holistic view of Van region, where the relationship among geography, cultural, and natural heritage have been evolving for thousands of years. The Center also serves to explore, protect, and promote the cultural and natural heritage at national and international platforms.
