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POLISH ARCHAEOLOGISTS MAKE INTERESTING DISCOVERIES IN ARMENIA
by Karina Manukyan
Wednesday, December 10, 12:00
Archaeologists from the Institute of Archaeology, University of Warsaw
discovered evidence of destruction and capture of the ancient city of
Metsamor, one of the most famous archaeological sites in the vicinity
of Yerevan.
"In the entire area of research we found layers of burning and ash.
The city was probably captured by the army of Argishti I, the ruler
of Urartu" - told PAP (PAP - Science and Scholarship in Poland)
Krzysztof Jakubiak, head of the project.
Argishti I was the king of Urartu, the biblical Kingdom of Ararat in
the Armenian Highlands. During his reign, the boundaries of the state
expanded to the Caucasus, the area of today's Yerevan. Other findings
of Polish archaeologists are evidence of the fighting and cruelty.
Among them is a skeleton of about 30 years old woman, whose head was
cut off, and of another person with a split skull.
"We believe that both of them were killed during the attack on the
city" - added Dr. Jakubiak. The discovered remains were not buried
in the tombs, only randomly scattered among the buildings of the
so-called lower town. What drew the attention of researchers was a
small amount of finds in the form of historical objects, which may
illustrate the scale of predatory Urartu invasion.
The invaders did not spare the holy shrines. Archaeologists found
a small, oval urban sanctuary, which had been looted during the
invasion. Inside, on stone platforms, they discovered broken pottery
and one vessel preserved in its entirety, made of stone. Metsamor is
a protected archaeological reserve. Excavations within the reserve
have been conducted for almost 50 years. Previous studies have shown
that during the heyday from the fourth to the second millennium BC,
the settlement occupied more than 10 hectares and was surrounded by
monumental walls.
In the early days of iron period, from the eleventh to the ninth
century, Metsamor had grown to nearly 100 acres. The central part of
the fortress was surrounded by temple complexes with seven shrines. At
that time, it was one of the most important political and cultural
centres in the Aras Valley.
>From the eighth century BC, Metsamor became part of the Kingdom of
Urartu. The place was continuously inhabited until the seventeenth
century. Polish archaeologists began excavations in Metsamor in 2013.
The project was possible thanks to an agreement signed between the
Institute of Archaeology, University of Warsaw - in consultation with
the authorities of the Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology UW - with
the Institute of Archaeology of the Armenian Academy of Sciences of
and the Ministry of Culture of Armenia.
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=F96EF050-804A-11E4-B6280EB7C0D21663
by Karina Manukyan
Wednesday, December 10, 12:00
Archaeologists from the Institute of Archaeology, University of Warsaw
discovered evidence of destruction and capture of the ancient city of
Metsamor, one of the most famous archaeological sites in the vicinity
of Yerevan.
"In the entire area of research we found layers of burning and ash.
The city was probably captured by the army of Argishti I, the ruler
of Urartu" - told PAP (PAP - Science and Scholarship in Poland)
Krzysztof Jakubiak, head of the project.
Argishti I was the king of Urartu, the biblical Kingdom of Ararat in
the Armenian Highlands. During his reign, the boundaries of the state
expanded to the Caucasus, the area of today's Yerevan. Other findings
of Polish archaeologists are evidence of the fighting and cruelty.
Among them is a skeleton of about 30 years old woman, whose head was
cut off, and of another person with a split skull.
"We believe that both of them were killed during the attack on the
city" - added Dr. Jakubiak. The discovered remains were not buried
in the tombs, only randomly scattered among the buildings of the
so-called lower town. What drew the attention of researchers was a
small amount of finds in the form of historical objects, which may
illustrate the scale of predatory Urartu invasion.
The invaders did not spare the holy shrines. Archaeologists found
a small, oval urban sanctuary, which had been looted during the
invasion. Inside, on stone platforms, they discovered broken pottery
and one vessel preserved in its entirety, made of stone. Metsamor is
a protected archaeological reserve. Excavations within the reserve
have been conducted for almost 50 years. Previous studies have shown
that during the heyday from the fourth to the second millennium BC,
the settlement occupied more than 10 hectares and was surrounded by
monumental walls.
In the early days of iron period, from the eleventh to the ninth
century, Metsamor had grown to nearly 100 acres. The central part of
the fortress was surrounded by temple complexes with seven shrines. At
that time, it was one of the most important political and cultural
centres in the Aras Valley.
>From the eighth century BC, Metsamor became part of the Kingdom of
Urartu. The place was continuously inhabited until the seventeenth
century. Polish archaeologists began excavations in Metsamor in 2013.
The project was possible thanks to an agreement signed between the
Institute of Archaeology, University of Warsaw - in consultation with
the authorities of the Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology UW - with
the Institute of Archaeology of the Armenian Academy of Sciences of
and the Ministry of Culture of Armenia.
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=F96EF050-804A-11E4-B6280EB7C0D21663