BİTLİS Archaeologists have unearthed 49 monumental columns known as “elephant feet” during excavations at Kef Castle, a 2,700-year-old Urartian fortress situated at the foot of Mount Süphan in the Adilcevaz district of Bitlis province. Commissioned by Urartian King Rusa II, Kef Castle was constructed atop a hill overlooking Lake Van . Excavations are being carried out with the permission and support of the Culture and Tourism Ministry, under the scientific supervision of Associate Professor