First and most important discovery made in Tigranakert

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.