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Hamlet Petrosyan: Excavations Confirm That Tigranakert Was Spacious

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  • Hamlet Petrosyan: Excavations Confirm That Tigranakert Was Spacious

    HAMLET PETROSYAN: EXCAVATIONS CONFIRM THAT TIGRANAKERT WAS SPACIOUS SETTLEMENT WITH ADVANCED ARCHITECTURAL PLAN AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE

    ARMENPRESS
    NOVEMBER 30, 2010
    YEREVAN

    YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS: Excavations of Tigranakert are
    being carried out from 2006 in Artsakh. To sum up their results
    "Armenpress" has interviewed Hamlet Petrosyan, head of the Artsakh
    archeological expedition group, head of the Chair of Culture of
    Yerevan State University.

    -Summing up the results of the excavations carried out within 5 years,
    what can we register?

    -Our expedition group has specified in 2005 the concrete site of
    Tigranakert, Artsakh, and in 2006-2008 we have carried out excavations
    in different parts of the city and in its neighborhood, as a result of
    which the structures of Mijnaberd, Basilica Church, etc have emerged.

    The structures found out as a result of excavations conform that
    Tigranakert was a spacious settlement with advanced architectural
    plan and construction technique. Tigranakert, founded in the first
    century B.C., was a white city rich in gardens.

    -Mr. Petrosyan, Tigranakert, situated at the foot of a mountain,
    has quite uncomfortable geographical position. How it happened that
    till the 14th century it was considered one of the biggest cities of
    the region, how did it attract people?

    - Tigranakert was unequivocally a powerful building, and many found
    items prove that. It is conditioned by fresh springs that the very
    site was chosen for construction of the city, which had population
    of at least several thousands.

    -How are this year's excavations noteworthy?

    -As a result of this year's excavations we have found out a district,
    the approximate territory of which is 6-7 hectares. This year we have
    also excavated one of the ancient graveyards of Tigranakert. Those
    times property was buried with bodies. During excavations we have
    found not only complete items, but Drams as well. We also managed to
    clarify the Christian life of Tigranakert. Still in early Middle Age
    Tigranakert kept its reputation of a big city. We have some sources
    about that, but these excavations confirmed it.

    -You described Tigranakert quite in detail. And why the model of the
    city has not been designed up to now?

    -There was a goal to design a model, but the results of the excavations
    are not enough as of today. But some attempts have been made. Recently
    a film has been screened about Tigranakert, where there is such an
    experience, but they are not very scientific, and we cannot design
    such a model. Instead, we have organized a number of exhibitions and
    delivered lectures on the theme of Tigranakert abroad.

    We have organized 3 exhibitions in Yerevan, 2 in Stepanakert, and have
    come forth with a number of lectures and reports in the USA and Egypt.

    We have been mainly invited by Armenian communities of the given
    countries.

    -Mr. Petrosyan, when will it be possible to get the distinct image
    of the city, and how long will the excavations last?

    -It is inadmissible to use larger tempo in excavations of Tigranakert.

    The archeological material in Tigranakert is very rich, and
    the expedition group must have time to work out those materials,
    to restore and understand. Our goal is the research, and from that
    viewpoint the expedition group works quite speedy. If we continue
    the excavations of Tigranakert with this tempo, it will take 15-20
    years to understand the main image of the city.

    -What was the biggest revelation during the excavations, and where
    do you keep the found items?

    -The biggest revelation during the excavations was the basilic church.

    A special reserve-museum is under construction in Stepanakert. Its
    inner furnishing works will soon wrap up, and we will manage to keep
    the found items there in special conditions. Now they are kept in the
    laboratory of archeology of Yerevan State University. The artifacts,
    for preservation of which no special conditions are necessary, are
    exhibited at Tigranakert museum. From 300 to 800 items are found
    every year as a result of excavations, and currently we have over
    3000 exhibits.

    -Is it only the NKR government that supports the excavations?

    -Yes, and by the way, this year less money has been provided than
    in the previous years -25 million AMD overall. The government funds
    concrete excavations and a small sum of money is provided for the
    needs of the expedition group, no money is extended for equipment
    of corresponding engineering for implementation of excavations. The
    majority of the engineering is obtained by private means.




    From: A. Papazian
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