A recent expedition at the Erebuni Fortress in Armenia has uncovered three massive basalt altars featuring detailed falcon reliefs and astronomical notches. The placement of the altars within the citadel's central temple suggests they were used to track the path of the sun during the 'Festival of the High Skies', which culminated at the summer solstice.
Evidence of burnt aromatic herbs found on the altar surfaces suggests that smoke was used to 'feed' the solar deity during the ritual. This discovery highlights the logistical complexity of Urartian state religion, where mountain-top fortresses functioned as seasonal observatories and hubs for communal religious celebrations that united the kingdom's diverse populations through shared solar cycles.