Tigranakert excavations result in new discoveries

Hamlet Petrosyan, who leads the Tigranakert archeological expedition, told Tert.am about the results of this year’s excavations.

The work was carried out three sites: the fortified district, first Antik district and ancient Christian square. Numerous new discoveries have been made. 

The first result of this year’s excavations is in the fortified district, which was built by Tigranes the Great - the discovery of a new wall.

“We have until now excavated the southern and northern walls, but we cannot yet understand how they could be used. It is clear that Tigranes the Great by making tremendous efforts to build the district on this slope controlled the royal springs. Our previous finds did not enable us to understand how they were connected to the springs. This year we have been able to find new springs, 50-60 meters of the royal springs, and discover new walls here. Excavations are not a means of justifying our hopes. Rather, it is research aimed at drawing conclusions based on the results,” Mr Petrosyan said.

Tigranakert will revive an image of early and medieval culture of Artsakh that will prove to be sensational news.

According to the archeologist, the city occupies an area of 70 hectares, while the expedition has for ten years conducted excavations of 2-3 percent of the area.

“We need osteological material, which would provide accurate dating to us. Last year we sent ten fragments to the University of Marseilles and we are waiting for an answer. I will enable us to specify the dating of two churches in Tigranakert. We have seen an interesting thing: eastern entrances of churches, which is a rare phenomenon in early Christian architecture,” Mr Petrosyan said.