New finds emerge at Shamiram archaeological site

PanARMENIAN.Net - The 2026 field season of the joint Armenian-Italian archaeological expedition at the Shamiram archaeological site in Armenia's Aragatsotn Province has concluded with new discoveries.

The expedition was carried out as part of the long-standing scientific cooperation between the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia and ISMEO (International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies). The project was led by Varduhi Melikyan on the Armenian side and Roberto Dan on the Italian side.

Excavations, conducted from May 26 to June 25, focused on key sections of the site to refine the chronology, functions and stages of development of one of central Armenia's most complex archaeological landscapes. Shamiram is a multi-layered archaeological site featuring an extensive fortified rocky plateau, multiple defensive walls, large settlements and significant burial complexes. The latest research confirmed continuous occupation from the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age through the Urartian, post-Urartian, Hellenistic, Late Antique, medieval and post-medieval periods.

One of the season's most important discoveries was the continued excavation of Tomb No. 3, a monumental Late Bronze Age burial complex with concentric stone circles, a central stone burial chamber, rich grave goods, bronze weapons, obsidian and metal arrowheads, and the remains of a horse sacrificed as part of a burial ritual. Researchers say the discovery provides valuable new evidence about local elites, burial customs and the symbolic role of horses in Late Bronze Age communities in Armenia.

Excavations also yielded important information on the site's pre-Urartian phases. Behind one of the towers of the Urartian fortress, archaeologists uncovered a Middle Iron Age room containing clear layers of fire damage and destruction, followed by a burial predating the construction of the Urartian defensive system. According to the expedition, this sequence offers a rare opportunity to study the transformation of a local Iron Age center before and after the expansion of the Kingdom of Van.

Research also continued in the fortified areas of the site. Investigation of the Wall 2 gate complex indicates that the currently visible L-shaped entrance was most likely rebuilt during the Hellenistic period, replacing an earlier Iron Age structure.

At the same time, excavation and cleaning of Tower 3 confirmed the monumental character of Urartian fortification architecture, revealing a well-preserved megalithic structure measuring approximately 8.5 by 8.5 meters.

The 2026 campaign also opened new perspectives for studying Shamiram's post-Urartian development. Column bases uncovered in Area 7, architectural remains adjacent to Urartian towers and well-preserved medieval buildings demonstrate how ancient fortifications continued to shape the site's spatial organization over the centuries.

The expedition concluded that this year's findings once again confirm Shamiram as one of central Armenia's most important archaeological sites for studying the region's long history—from Late Bronze Age burial traditions and Iron Age communities to Urartian monumental architecture and later phases of reuse and transformation.

The project was co-financed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, with the support and coordination of the Embassy of Italy in Yerevan. Further analysis of archaeological materials, anthropological finds and other specialized studies is expected to deepen understanding of Shamiram's history and its significance within Armenia's ancient cultural landscape.