NEW ARCHEOLOGICAL FIND DURING TIGRANAKERT’S EXCAVATIONS

DeFacto Agency
July 16 2008
Armenia

In the course of excavations of early Christian basilica on the
territory of an ancient town of Tigranakert archeologists found a
small disc. Its diameter is about 8cm, with a cross on one side and
a portrait of a bearded man in a fir hat on the other.

According to DE FACTO own correspondent in Stepanakert, on July 15,
at a press conference held in this connection, Hamlet Petrosian, the
head of archeological expedition, head of Department of Culturology
of Yerevan State University, Doctor of Historical Sciences, stated
there were contracted legends in Armenian – "God" and "I, Vache,
the Servant of God" on the disc’s both sides. According to Hamlet
Petrosian, further research will enable to find out who Vache is and
if he bears a relation to a number of renowned figures of 5th-7th
centuries bearing the name.

In the scientist’s opinion, the place of archeological find’s
discovery, cross’s image and legend’s type give the ground to date
the disc from 5th-6th centuries; the 7th century is not ruled out
either. According to Hamlet Petrosian, such crosses were ordered by
believers and presented to church. Hamlet Petrosian underscored that
the find was one of the most ancient Armenian evidences found on the
territory of historic Artsakh /Karabakh/. It is noteworthy that today
the NKR government has rendered a decision to forbid carrying out
building and agricultural works, as well as household and industrial
activity on the territory of Tigranakert. The MoD has been commissioned
to hold military exercises far from the historic monument.

NKR PM Ara Harutyunian noted the government would devote a special
attention to the monument’s security and its due presentation to the
world scientific circles.

To remind, Tigranakert was the biggest and the most famous settlement
of pre-Christian period on the territory of Artsakh and was founded
in nineties BC by Armenian King Tigran II and existed till 13-14
centuries AC. The settlement’s remainders were found in 2005 on the
territory of Shagbulag village of modern Aghdam region.