The total area of the ancient city, by the archaeologists, up to 60 hectares. From 2007 to the present day excavated 170 meters of the fortress wall width of 2 meters 60 centimeters, which found many artifacts: pottery, crosses, dishes with inscriptions in Armenian (V-VIII century) language, vessels, etc. karases
Excavations in Tigranokerte Since 2005, Artsakh archeological expedition of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of Armenia led by Doctor of Historical Sciences, Head of the Department of Cultural Studies at Yerevan State University Hamlet Petrosyan. By special resolution of the NKR Government Tigranakert given the status of historical and cultural reserve and tourist center.
American newspapers have compared the detection Tigrankerta with the opening of Troy - says Doctor of Historical Sciences Hamlet Petrosyan.
Among the latest findings, REGNUM correspondent in Stepanakert, drew the attention of the basilica, which is expected to function until the end of IX - beginning of X century. The length of the Basilica is 24 meters, width - almost 7 meters. According to a member of the expedition, a senior researcher at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography Aghavni Zhamkochyan this one-nave basilica stands out among similar structures of the South Caucasus with its size, perfect obtesanymi walls, flagstone floors and laid out a rich architectural decoration. The biggest find - a round tower with a diameter of more than 9 meters, the walls of which are made of stones gladkotesanyh. The tower belongs to the number of perfect specimens of defensive structure time of Tigran the Great.
During the excavation of the church Tigranokerta were discovered more than a dozen cross-stones (Hach - cross car - stone) early Christian culture. Armenian cross-stone for not just a stone cross - is an artistic symbol, which reflects the aesthetic taste, sense of beauty, and to some extent the history of the people. In the center is cut out by the holy life-giving cross, and around it - a pattern of herbs, flowers, fruits, people, animals and birds, ornaments and letter monograms. In addition, the archaeologists found the prototypes Irish High Cross (Celtic cross), which were made of stone and installed on the newly inhabited places long before the construction of churches and monasteries.
Also, scientists have discovered an iron shovel, which dates back to IX century. To date, three such known spades, but tigranakertskaya find is the largest and most perfect. Among other artifacts specialists identify the agate gem (printing) with the image of a deer, which sits on the back of an eagle. According to Petrosyan, gem and early medieval pottery print (stamps) indicate that Tigranakert played an important administrative and commercial role.
However, the very real sensation of the expedition is considered detected clay disc with a diameter of about eight inches, one side of which is engraved ravnokonechnogo cross inscribed in a circle, and on the reverse side depicts a bearded man in a fur hat. On both sides of the disk can be read distinct inscriptions made on ancient font boloragir erkatagir (round ancient Armenian script). One of them reads, in part: I Vach (e) the servant G (ospoda) B (og) a. The disc was found on the cobbled floor of the basilica and belongs to the so-called gifts of crosses. According to Petrosyan, this finding is one of the most ancient Armenian inscriptions discovered on the territory of Artsakh, and another argument in favor of early Christian Armenian Khachenaget shape of the lower reaches of the river. This historical detail is important in the political dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the former supplies the Artsakh-Karabakh.
Imperial power and the climax of Ancient Armenia reached for a short time during the reign of Tigran the Great (95-55 BCE). Tigran the Great was the younger brother, but according to other sources, the son of King Artavazd I, grandson of the founder of the dynasty Artashesids. Tigran spent some time as a hostage at the court of the Parthian king Mithridates II, who defeated the Armenians in the year 105 BC. Later Tigran for 70 fertile valleys in the region of Kurdistan bought the Parthians their freedom.
Possession of Tigran the Great extended from the coast of the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean and Mesopotamia. Tigranakert was the largest and most renowned settlement of the pre-Christian period in the territory of Artsakh. He - one of the four cities founded by Tigran the Great in different parts of the Armenian highlands and named after him. According to historians, Tigranakert had great strategic importance as a defensive post, which allows you to control the lowland part of the territory up to the river Kura. It has two rows of fortifications, typical of cities of the time.
The town consisted of a citadel or acropolis, and the central part of the rural suburbs. While archaeologists can not find the entrance to the castle, but do not lose hope. According to preliminary data, Tigranakert continuously existed at least until the Mongol invasion, that is, until the middle of XIII century, and perhaps - until the XIV century.
Material: pravda.ru
