20 years required to complete excavations in Tigranakert, Artsakh

July 9, 2010 - 16:08 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Head of Artsakh expedition, PhD of History Hamlet Petrosyan presented the results of excavations in Tigranakert, Artsakh.

This year the excavations started on June 15 and will continue till August 25, Petrosyan told a press conference.

"During excavations, we try to preserve the landscape of Tigranaket, so that the site is observed from afar. This year we continue excavation works in the same three basic areas. It is the so-called fortified area, which was created during the tenure of Tigran the Great. Here, works are under way on "revelation" of the northern fortified wall. While in some places the walls are above 4m high. Here we have advanced for 20m. The second area is the citadel, where complexes, cut in a rock, are revealed. And the third is the excavation of a basilica. Several days ago we dug out a big jar with pattern of snakes. Possibly, the jar is the biggest one in Artsakh. Its capacity is over 600l," said Petrosyan.

Besides, ancient burial places have been revealed. Currently, there are two places, where ancient burials in jars were found. It is a very important revelation, as necropolis may contain valuable information.

According to Petrosyan, 20 years are required to complete the excavations in Tigranakert.

"Tigranakert should become a unique symbol to unite the Armenian people," he concluded.