The 2010 excavations in the ancient city of Tigranakert produced very good results, the head of the Artsakh archeological expedition, Doctor of History Hamlet Petrosyan told reporters.
“Tigranakert was a very wealthy city. Its limy walls make it look snow-white. We make more and more discoveries day by day,” Petrosyan said.
Specialists found ancient coins. “The copper coins. We found a coin clamped between the teeth of a corpse. We also discovered a new settlement of the ancient city. Its occupation layer is about two meters deep,” Petrosyan said.
As to where the finds are now and what is their future, Petrosyan said that they have been transported to Yerevan for further examination. Thereafter they will be brought back to Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, where a special building has been constructed for them.
“Some of them will be exhibited in the Tigranakert Museum, the others will be kept in a special repository,” Petrosyan said.
The Nagorno-Karabakh Government is sponsoring the excavations. However, he said, scientists need funds for applied research. “I, for example; use my personal computer and camera, which is not fit for such work,” Petrosyan said.
“We need financial aid,” he said.
NEWS.am reminds readers that in 2005 the Artsakh archeological exhibition of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography, Armenian National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), discovered the city of Tigranakert, founded by Tigranes the Great. Archeological excavations began in 2006. This is the only accurately located Tigranakert where archeological excavations can be carried out.
Two documentaries on Tigranakert have been created: the first, entitled Tigranakert Odyssey by Zare Chgnavoryan, and the second, entitled Tigranakert by Tigran Khzmalyan. Two other documentaries are being made now to be shown to the public soon.
Source: Information Analytic Agency NEWS [August 31, 2010]