French Interested In Erebuni Excavations: Henri Reynaud

French Interested In Erebuni Excavations: Henri Reynaud

ARMENPRESS – 30/7/2013

YEREVAN - The Armenian-French archeological expedition summed up the 6th stage of the excavations carried out in the Erebuni Fortress of Yerevan. The event was attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to the Republic of Armenia Henri Reynaud.
As reported by Armenpress, the Ambassador expressed his satisfaction for the works implemented by the members of the expedition, stating that he visits the Erebuni Museum and the nearby territory with great interest and pleasure.
The Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Armenia Arev Samuelyan expressed her hope that the program will be continuative.
The Director of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia Pavel Avetisyan added that it is very difficult to implement excavations in the restored area and in this context the French experts do their work very well.
The Armenian-French archeological expedition has launched the excavations since 2008.
The Erebuni Fortress, Yerevan was built in the last quarter of the 8th century BC by King Argishti I. The Erebuni Fortress, Yerevan is a Urartuan stronghold which is situated within the city area. The archaeological remains found here proves the existence of the people of these areas for three thousand years. It is one of the most visited Tourist attractions in Yerevan. The excavations here have revealed palaces, temples and also domiciles of antiquity on the extensive premises. Renovations are going on to restore the buildings and walls of these structures. One can also find certain well-preserved items at the site. Yerebuni is one of the biggest towns on Arin-berd hill on the south east end of Yerevan. Historical records say that Yerebuni was constructed by Argihti I in 782 BC. The layout of the Fortress was made very orderly with the town neighborhoods being located at the foot of a hill. A Fortress is placed on the top that dominates the surrounding area. The Erebuni Fortress in Armenia overlooks the town and the Ararat plain along with its settlements.
A cuneiform inscription testifies that the city was built by Argishti I the King of Urartu in 782 BCE. The majority of the fortress was built from raw bricks. The citadel was encircled by strong walls in some places built in three rows. The temple of God Khaldi occupied an important place in the fortress. The walls of the temple were decorated with numerous frescos. Archeologists have found giant karasses (pitches for storage of wine) buried in the ground. Ceramics, potter's wheels and other articles used in everyday life were also unearthed during excavations. There is a huge collection of artifacts, sups, jars, bronze bracelets, glass, agate beads and many other things that tell us about the life of the citadel, the tastes and habits of its inhabitants. The building of the Museum that houses 12,235 exhibits were constructed by architects Baghdasar Arzumanyan and Shmavon Azatian and sculptor A. Harutyunyan. It has two branches in Shengavit and Karmir Blur with 5,288 and 1,620 exhibits respectively in stock.

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EXCAVATIONS DISCOVERED ENTRANCE PILLARS OF KHALD TEMPLE IN EREBUNI

ARMENPRESS - 30/7/2013

YEREVAN - Armenian-French excavation group this year chose such part for excavations in Erebuni which had been studied less during the previous years. About this informed head of Armenian-French excavation group Stefan Deshamp during press conference on July 30. "There are several issues which did not receive answers during excavations in 1950-s and 1960-s. This year

we chose the territory near temple of Khald god in order to answer many questions. The main question of the excavations was to find out what connection had the temple of Khald and great hall with pillars which had been excavated in past," he said, reports "Armenpress".

In his words during 2012 excavations they discovered the street art around the temple and this year continued excavations in the above-mentioned s street which possibly is the oldest street in Yerevan. "This street allows making chronological adjustments," said the leader of the excavation group. He mentioned that in result of current year excavations they came to conclusion that Erebuni greatly suffered from the earthquake which happened in the second art of 7^th century. Besides entrance pillars of Khald god temple were discovered.
Armenian-French archaeological excavation group implements excavations in Erebuni temple since 2008. On July 30 was summed up the 6th stage of excavations. The excavations will continue till 2015.
http://armenpress.am/eng/news/727756/excavations-discovered-entrance-pillars-of-khald-temple-in-erebuni.html