Assyrian inscriptions of Shalmaneser I from about 1270 BCE first mention Uruartri as one of the states of Nairi—a loose confederation of small kingdoms and tribal states in Armenian Highland in the thirteenth to eleventh centuries BCE.

Uruartri itself is in the region around Lake Van.

The Nairi states have been repeatedly subjected to attacks by the Assyrians, especially under Tukulti-Ninurta I (circa 1240 BCE), Tiglath-Pileser I (circa 1100 BCE), Ashur-bel-kala (circa 1070 BCE), Adad-nirari II (circa 900), Tukulti-Ninurta II (circa 890), and Ashurnasirpal II (883-859 BCE).

Urartu reemerges in Assyrian inscriptions in the ninth century BCE as a powerful northern rival: the Nairi states and tribes become a unified kingdom under king Aramu (circa 860-843 BCE).