First and most important discovery made in Tigranakert
13:04 22/07/2014 » SOCIETY
The excavations of Tigranakert in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) have
resumed recently headed by the Doctor of Historical Sciences, head of
archaeological expedition in Tigranakert Hamlet Petrosyan, informs the
Department of Tourism and Historic Preservation of the NKR government.
The excavation process is held in 3 main locations: the northern fence
of the fortified region, the first antique district and Early
Christian northern square yard. The excavation area is about 500
square meters with an average depth of 2.5 meters.
The first and the most significant discovery has already been recorded
in Tigranaker, the tomb that is being excavated in the east of the
altar of a newly discovered early Christian church. It has a west-east
direction, almost square grave-hall, vaulted ceiling, in the northern
and southern walls there are longitudinal cavities built for
installing the relics. The whole of the building is built in blocks,
with the help of a whitewash. In the early Christian culture of
Armenia this monument is the third for its well preserved condition
after the royal tomb found in Aghtsq (Armenia) and the tomb of
Grigoris found in Amaras (Armenia).
The excavation will make it possible to certify one more, new building
of this kind, as well as to record and to give real historical bases
to the true process and details of the religious reform made by the
Vachagan the Pious king of Hayaghvank who has reigned in the second
half of the 5th century AD.