Excavations near Azatan

[MosJan]

• 
  Excavations are carried out on the territory of the ancient stronghold and settling near Azatan (photos)
• 28.08.2011 - 17:41
• http://www.armregions.am/imgs/1314519259-390be5f0e6.150x150.jpg
• The stronghold, the populated in the past area and the ancient burial place that are located in the mountains, not so far from Azatan, were revealed in 1995. Currently the employees of the geological museum and the German University named after Martin Luther are enrolled in this process.
   
  http://www.armregions.am/imgs/1314373807-6bcaff7cd0.jpg
   
   
  According to the director of the geological museum Hamazasp Khachatryan, they are going to bring together the excavations from the entire territory of the monument for creation of the exact chronology.
   
  http://www.armregions.am/imgs/1314375481-d48d47abe8.jpg
   
   
  Currently the excavations are being carried out on the eastern area of the burial place. The detailed examination of the grave-yard, the clarification of all the details will provide with the possibility to create a chronology. During the excavations, the women adornments were found: the hair-pins, the necklaces, the earrings and the buttons.
   
  http://www.armregions.am/imgs/1314373910-ea6f36c5d1.jpg
   
   
  Similar excavations had been carried out on the territory of the residential settlement of 1st century B.C. Two rooms with granaries had been found. Various instruments and everyday subjects had been discovered.
   
  http://www.armregions.am/imgs/1314373932-660d6d95c8.jpg
   
   
  Mr. Khachatryan had said that these granaries are dated from 7-6 centuries B.C. They can provide a lot of information. The ceramics from the granaries will help to determine the dates. Approximately the wheat had been kept here. The head of the group of the German archeologists Andreas Furtwngler is satisfied with the results of the excavations. The excavations are being financed by the German side.
   
  http://www.armregions.am/imgs/1314373855-90d44904a0.jpg
   
   
  The stronghold is being located on the upland. It was probably constructed earlier. According to the existing opinion, already at the times of Urartu the residential settlement was located only in the stronghold, later in 7-6 centuries B.C. it was distributed all over the mountainside.
   
  http://www.armregions.am/imgs/1314375522-f08d771d03.jpg
   
   
  -This is the first time that we visit Armenia, said the archeologist of the German University Galle Dorothea Mauermann. -Previously, we had worked in Georgia and were somehow familiar with the archeological monuments of the South Caucasus. Armenia is very interesting from the point of view of archeology. The monument in Azatan is interesting also with the fact that here we had found the variety of valuable materials.
   
  http://www.armregions.am/imgs/1314375371-e5ed9eb91e.jpg
   
   
  The archeologist from the same university Tobias Noisen is interested, in particular, with the stronghold, which, according to his opinion, does not refer to Urartu period. He expects to find out many interesting and valuable excavations on this territory. The stronghold is being interesting for the archeologist by its possible connection with the Hellenistic Era, when Armenia was a strong state. The stronghold is located conceivably at the center of the former state. However, in the result of excavations something else was revealed as well.
   
  http://www.armregions.am/imgs/1314375414-014ad6f500.jpg
   
   
  -We had excavated many ceramics, typical for the Hellenistic Era (1st century B.C.). It testifies that the life was complete, in the ancient stronghold of Benyamin was found as well, said the director of the geological museum.
   
  http://www.armregions.am/imgs/1314375445-2e2329adfd.jpg
   
   
  The archeologists try to solve the problem of the dating, as so far the material cultures of the 7th and 6th centuries are not determined. The materials, which relate to Yervandids reign (5th century B.C.) and Mets Hayk were excavated.
• © Armregions.am