Andaval

It is a part of a stele with a relief and four visible lines of an inscription. It was first reported in 1890 by Ramsey, who had seen it built into the floor of a church in Andaval (now Aktaş) village about 9 km. northeast of Niğde. Cut into a circular shape, it has a diameter of about 50 cm. The inscription names "Saruwani, the ruler, the lord of the city Nahitiya" and mentions herds of horses. Nahitiya is the ancient name of modern-day Niğde. Saruwani was a king of the Tuwana Kingdom and apparently a predecessor of Warpalawa. Saruwani’s name also appears on a round stone base found in Niğde. It is estimated to be from the late 9th to early 8th century BCE. The stele is on display in the Anatolian Civilizations Museum in Ankara, and a replica can be seen in the Niğde Museum.


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