PhD, Archaeologist, Research fellow in Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography NAS RA Lecturer of the Department of Culturology, Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia
Կարճաղբյուրի` անտիկ դարաշրջանի բնակավայրը և դամբարանադաշտը գտնվում են Գեղարքունիքի մարզի Վարդենիս... more Կարճաղբյուրի` անտիկ դարաշրջանի բնակավայրը և դամբարանադաշտը գտնվում են Գեղարքունիքի մարզի Վարդենիսի շրջանի համանուն գյուղից 1,50 կմ դեպի արևելք: Դամբարանադաշտը հայտնաբերել և պեղել է պ.գ.թ. Հ. Մնացականյանի ղեկավարած արշավախումբը 1971-1972 թթ., իսկ 1975-1991 թթ. բնակավայրում և դամբարանադաշտում համատեղ պեղումներ է պարբերաբար կատարել հնագիտության և ազգագրության ինստիտուտի Հին Հայաստանի հնագիտության բաժնի արշավախումբը: Ուսումնասիրության առարկա թաղումները կատարված կարասների, ծափերի և կճուճների մեջ, հիմնականում բացվել են արդեն լքված բնակավայրի վերին՝ հելլենիստական մշակութային շերտի մեջ: Այդ թաղումներն ուղեկցող գույք չեն պարունակում, բայց անոթների ուղղահայաց և հորիզոնական դիրքերով, երկրի կողմերի նկատմամբ իրենց հաստատուն ուղղվածությամբ, անոթի մեջ անհատի կծկված դիրքով, տեղավորելու համար անոթի վերին մասը հեռացնելուց հետո իր տեղը վերադարձնելու եղանակով, թաղման ծեսի մյուս գծերով թվագրվում են մ.թ. II դարի վերջ և III դարերով և համահունչ են Սևանի ավազանի և Հայաստանի անտիկ շրջանի մյուս հայտնի հուշարձաններում հայտնաբերված կարասային թաղումներին: Карчахбюрcкое поселение и могильник античного периода расположены в 1,50 км к востоку от одноименного села Варденисского района области Гегаркуник. Могильник был обнаружен и раскопан к.и.н. О. Мнацаканяном в 1971-1972 гг., а в 1975-1991 гг. раскопки поселения и могильника производила экспе-диция отдела археологии древней Армении Института археологии и этнографии АН АрмССР. Исследуемые погребения в карасах и кувшинах в основном были найдены в верхнем культурном слое уже заброшенного поселения, относящегося к эллинистическому периоду. Эти погребения не содержат сопутствующего инвентаря, а вертикальное и горизонтальное положения сосудов, их ориентация относительно сторон света, способ возвращения верхней части сосуда на место после его удаления с целью размещения в сосуде индивида в скорченном положении, а также другие особенности погребального обряда указывают на то, что погребения можно датировать примерно концом II–III вв. н.э. Они имеют сходство с кувшинными погребениями античного периода Севанского бассейна и других известных памятников Армении. The settlement and the cemetery of Karchaghbyur are located 1.50 km east of the vil-lage of the same name in the Vardenis district of the region of Gegharkunik. The cemetery was discovered and excavated by Dr.H. Mnatsakanyan, in 1971-1972, and in 1975-1991 the excavations of the settlement and the cemetery were carried out by the expedition of the Department of Ancient Armenia of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Academy of Sciences of the ArmSSR. The investigated burials, made in pithoi and jars, were mainly found in the upper cultural layer of an already abandoned settlement dating back to the Hellenistic period. These burials do not contain accompanying goods, but the vertical and horizontal positions of the jars, their orientation relative to the cardinal points, the method of returning the upper part of the vessel back after its removal in order to place the individual in a fetal position into the vessel, as well as other distinctive features of the burial rite date back to the late 2nd-3 rd centuries AD and are similar to the jar burials of the Late Classical period of the Sevan basin and other the famous sites of Armenia.
The stamped pottery is of a great significance for the research of the material and spiritual cul... more The stamped pottery is of a great significance for the research of the material and spiritual culture of the Classical period (I century BC - III century AD) of Tigranakert of Artsakh (the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous region). The ceramic assemblage includes vessels of different forms and styles, as well as elaborately decorated, black and grey polished, stamped and incised examples. The examples, decorated with stamped ornamentation make a small, but diverse group in this collection. Distinctive examples of the stamped pottery discovered during the excavations of Tigranakert at different field seasons are black, polished goblets, phialas and fragments of bowls, decorated with stamped images of grape clusters. The elegant execution of the design of the polished black cluster-bearing vessels, with a dense black slip and surface polishing leave an impression of lacquering. All these characteristics allow suggesting that they were used for a particular purpose. The next group of the stamped pottery of Tigranakert is presented by potsherds with surface color that varies from light reddish-pink to ochre. They bear stamped decorations of a tree or a leaf in different positions. Pottery with different stamped decorations had been widespread in the Armenian highlands since the Urartian period. Only a few examples of stamped pottery are known from sites of the Classical period in Armenia (Artashat, Avan, Yervandashat). In this context, the stamped pottery of Tigranakert is of a great importance. It reveals essential evidence regarding the trade and cultural connections, cultural innovations, and the cultural role Tigranakert played in the region in the Classical period. Для изучения материальной и духовной культуры Арцахского Тигранакерта античного периода (I в. до н.э. - III в. н.э.) большое источниковедческое значение имеет посуда. Керамический ассортимент включает не только сосуды различных форм, но и богато орнаментированные, черные и серые лощеные, штампованные образцы и также сосуды с резной орнаментацией. В этом штампованным методом. Исключительными примерами штампованной керамики являются выявленные благодаря раскопкам Тигранакерта в различные годы черные, лощеные до зеркального блеска кубки, чаши-пиалы и фрагменты мисок, с внутренней стороны украшенные штампованными изображениями гроздей винограда. Изящное исполнение всей композиции чернолощеных сосудов, украшенных изображениями гроздей винограда, черная густая обмазка, лощение, которое оставляет впечатление черной лакировки, придают этим сосудам особую красоту и позволяют предположить, что они использовались в особых целях. Следующую группу сосудов Тигранакерта со штампованным орнаментом составляют фрагменты с оттенками от светло-красно-розового до охристого. На них представлены изображения дерева или листьев, имеющих различное расположение.
The article is devoted to one of the jar burials discovered in 2018 during excavations of the Eas... more The article is devoted to one of the jar burials discovered in 2018 during excavations of the Eastern tomb field of Tigranakert of Artsakh. That is a gorgeous painted karas with ornamental and figurative bands of various motifs painted in red on a light background. The central and widest part of the vessel bears a depiction of a deer hunting scene happening on both sides of a dense tree with scattered branches. An infantryman and two horsemen armed with long spears and accompanied by hunting dogs, chase a doe and a deer. Hunting scene has been popular and widespread since ancient times. Deer hunting scene is found among the petroglyphs of the Armenian Highlands, on the bronze belts and other decorative-applied works of art from the ancient sites of Armenia and neighboring countries. This theme is especially prevalent in Achaemenid glyptic, in the fine arts of the Classical period, and in the toreutics of the Sasanian period.
ԱՐՄԱՎԻՐ ՄԱՅՐԱՔԱՂԱՔԻ ԴԱՄԲԱՐԱՆԱԴԱՇՏԻ ԿԱՐԱՍԱՅԻՆ ԹԱՂՈՒՄՆԵՐԻ ՏԵՂԱԴՐՈՒԹՅԱՆ ԵՎ ԺԱՄԱՆԱԿԱԳՐՈՒԹՅԱՆ ՍԱՀՄԱՆՆԵՐԸ, 2024
Armavir, the capital of Ancient Armenia, occupies the territory of the eponymous hill (height - 8... more Armavir, the capital of Ancient Armenia, occupies the territory of the eponymous hill (height - 80 m), bordering the city of Argishtikhinili, built in the 8th century BC on the west-east ridge in the central part of the Ararat plain, and the territory between the villages of Haykavan, Jrashen, Artagers, Armavir. As a result of continuous studies conducted since 1962, it became clear, that Ar-mavir was occupied in different periods. Layers from pre-Urartian period (4th - begin-ning of the 1st millennium BC) to the High Middle Ages (10 – 13th centuries) were re-vealed. The main attention of the research was focused on the study of the citadel and some parts of the city quarters, while the problem of studying the necropolis remained unsolved. Although, it should be noted that even from preliminary excavations carried out during various economic, construction of irrigation network and burials in modern cemeteries on the slopes of a hill, at the foot, in various parts of the city quarters, buri-als from the Early Bronze Age to the Late Middle Ages were accidentally revealed, and among them there were burials of the Classical period. The burials made here are rep-resented by traditional types: ground, stone boxes, burials with oval-shaped masonry, as well as jar burials, which are the focus of this article. The study of the material makes it possible to clarify the distribution boundaries of the jar burials in the capital Armavir, their orientation in relation to the cardinal points, funeral rites, rituals, and in the case of the presence of related material and by study-ing its assortment, to establish the location of the necropolis of the capital city and to determine the period of its existence.
Археология и история древней Передней и Центральной Азии. Материалы международной научной конференции, посвящённой 100-летию со дня рождения Бориса Анатольевича Литвинского, 2023
This article is devoted to the bronze seal found in Lernakert village (formerly known as Shirvanj... more This article is devoted to the bronze seal found in Lernakert village (formerly known as Shirvanjyugh) of Shirak region of the Republic of Armenia. The lower flat surface of the seal with loop handle bears images of a galloping horse (or mule) and heavenly bodies placed above and below its body. The seal from Lernakert doesn’t have any similarities among the glyptic samples found on the territory of Armenia. We can see its closest analogies in Georgia, where twelve samples of similar bronze seals with loop handle have been discovered from the sites of the Classical period. According to the results of the study of materials from precisely dated archaeological complexes of Georgia, as well as materials found during excavations of the newly discovered monument of Lernakert in recent years, this seal can be attributed to the 3rd century BC. Although no analogues of the bronze seal of Lernakert have been found on synchronous monuments in Armenia till today, nevertheless, parallels of its composition can be seen among a number of Urartian seals dated back to the 7th century BC. On the one hand, this seal may indicate the inheritance of the Urartian culture in the Hellenistic period and fulfill our knowledge about the mythological, religious ideas of our ancestors. On the other hand, this discovery may be an evidence of the existence of trade, economic and cultural connections between Armenia and Iberia in the Hellenistic period.
The culture of jar burials in the Classical period occupied a significant territory of the Near E... more The culture of jar burials in the Classical period occupied a significant territory of the Near East, the Mediterranean and Asia Minor, including the Armenian Highlands and Transcaucasia up to the Kura River. Jar burials were the most common and the most archaeologically documented among all types of ancient burials in Artsakh and Utik. Against the background of the whole variety of burial structures (stone boxes, cists, ground burials, etc.), those became predominant, especially at the end of the first century BC – the first centuries AD. The jar burials of Utik were studied by Azerbaijani archaeologists (Mingachevir, Galatepe, Garakobar, etc.) and were presented as a kind of culture, the bearers of which were various Albanian tribes. It was synchronous with the culture of Yaloylutepe, spread on the right bank of the Kura and completely different from the culture of jar burials (ground burials with rather crouched skeleton and specific ceramics). The analysis of the peculiarities of the funeral rite and inventory, revealed during the excavations of Tigranakert of Artsakh and other sites of the region (Martakert, Chankatakh, Aterk), allows us to expand our understanding of the significant differences between the cultures of jar burials and Yaloylutepe culture. That could be a new argument in favor of the concept of defining the Kura River as ethnic border in the Classical period.
Հնագիտության և ազգագրության ինստիտուտի աշխատություններ , 2023
Արցախի Տիգրանակերտի անտիկ ժամանակաշրջանի (մ.թ.ա. 1-ին – մ.թ. 3-րդ դդ.) նյութական և հոգևոր մշակույ... more Արցախի Տիգրանակերտի անտիկ ժամանակաշրջանի (մ.թ.ա. 1-ին – մ.թ. 3-րդ դդ.) նյութական և հոգևոր մշակույթի ուսումնասիրության առումով մեծ աղբյուրագիտական նշանակություն ունի վերոհիշյալ ժամանակաշրջանի խեցեղենը, որը մեկ ու կես տասնամյակ տևած պեղումների ամենաառատ հնագիտական նյութն է: Այն, բացի ձևերի բազմազանությունից հանդես է բերում նաև մեկ այլ առանձնահատկություն. ներկայանում է շքեղ գունազարդ, սև և մոխրագույն, փայլեցված, դրոշմազարդ և փորագիր զարդերով հարդարված տեսակներով: Այս շարքում թեև փոքրաքանակ, բայց յուրահատուկ խումբ են կազմում դրոշմազարդման եղանակով հարդարված անոթները, որոնք կարող են լույս սփռել Տիգրանակերտի մշակութային նորամուծությունների, առևտրա-մշակութային կապերի և տարածաշրջանում նրա խաղացած մշակութային դերակատարման վրա:
The archaeological complex of Agarak is located in the Aragatsotn province of the Republic of
Arm... more The archaeological complex of Agarak is located in the Aragatsotn province of the Republic of Armenia, on the western bank of the Amberd river, on the territory of Agarak and Voskehat villages. During the excavations carried out in 2001-2012 the expedition of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of the NAS RA revealed residential areas and burials, indicating a long occupation of the site – from the Early Bronze Age to the Middle Ages. The burials discovered in Agarak belong to Classial Antiquity and differ from each other in funerary rites and burial structures (stone chests, cist, ground and jar burials). In the Hellenistic period, jar burials were common in the region, and already in the first centuries AD they acquired a mass character and have been recorded both on the ancient burial grounds of Armenia (Artashat, Garni, Dvin, Vagharshapat, Avan, Shirakavan, Beniamin, Artsakh Tigranakert, etc.), and neighboring Georgia and Caucasian Albania. The ten jar burials, excavated in Agarak, were mostly placed in a horizontal position with no specific orientation. The deceased was placed in a jug in a flexed position on the right or left side, after breaking the upper part of the vessel. Then the fragments were returned to their place. The grave goods of jar burials give an idea of the life and beliefs of the society of that period. The study of the Agarak jar burials reveals the use of this type of burials from the 6th century BC to the 3rd century AD, and the analysis of the accompanying grave goods indicates that it does not differ in any way from the inventory of other types of burials of the Agarak burial ground. This fact testifies to the uniformity of material culture, differences in funeral rites, while maintaining cultural unity and a similar worldview of the population of the synchronous sites of Armenia.
Մաստարա հնավայրը գտնվում է Արագածոտնի մարզի ներկայիս նույնանուն գյուղից 2–3 կմ արևմուտք, ծովի մակ... more Մաստարա հնավայրը գտնվում է Արագածոտնի մարզի ներկայիս նույնանուն գյուղից 2–3 կմ արևմուտք, ծովի մակերևույթից 1815 մ բարձրություն ունեցող լեռնազանգվածի միջնալանջին: Նորագյուտ հուշարձանի երկու տարվա (2017–2018 թթ.) դաշտային պեղաշրջան տևած աշխատանքների ընթացքում ձեռք բերված փաստերի ամբողջությունից կարելի է եզրակացնել, որ Մաստարա հնավայրում վաղ բրոնզի բնակավայրից պահպանված պատերի մնացորդների վրա հելլենիստական և ուշ անտիկ դարաշրջաններում գոյություն է ունեցել մի նշանակալի բնակավայր: Այն ունեցել է պարսպապատով շրջապատված ընդարձակ թաղամասեր, բնակարանային համալիրներ և պարսպապատի հյուսիս-արևելքից հարավ-արևմուտք ձգվող հատվածի արտաքին, արևելահայաց երեսին կից տեղադրված դամբարանադաշտ: Այստեղ բացվել են բնակավայրին ժամանակակից (մ.թ.ա 3-րդ – մ.թ. 3-րդ դարերի առաջին կես) քարարկղային դամբարաններ, որոնցից երեքի մեջ կատարվել են հետազոտվող՝ իջեցուկ կարասային թաղումները: Մաստարայի կարասային թաղումների այս իրավիճակը օգնում է ճշգրտելու բնակավայրի բնակության վերացման ժամանակը: Քննարվող կարասային թաղումների այս ...
The article is devoted to one of the jar burials discovered in 2018 during excavations of the Eas... more The article is devoted to one of the jar burials discovered in 2018 during excavations of the Eastern tomb field of Tigranakert of Artsakh. That is a gorgeous painted karas with ornamental and figurative bands of various motifs painted in red on a light background. The central and widest part of the vessel bears a depiction of a deer hunting scene happening on both sides of a dense tree with scattered branches. An infantryman and two horsemen armed with long spears and accompanied by hunting dogs, chase a doe and a deer. Hunting scene has been popular and widespread since ancient times. Deer hunting scene is found among the petroglyphs of the Armenian Highlands, on the bronze belts and other decorative-applied works of art from the ancient sites of Armenia and neighboring countries. This theme is especially prevalent in Achaemenid glyptic, in the fine arts of the Classical period, and in the toreutics of the Sasanian period.
THE JAR BURIALS OF THE CLASSICAL PERIOD OF KARCHAGHBYUR, 2023
The settlement and the tomb field of Karchaghbyur are located 1.50 km east of the village of the ... more The settlement and the tomb field of Karchaghbyur are located 1.50 km east of the village of the same name in the Vardenis district of the region of Gegharkunik. The tomb field was discovered and excavated by Dr.H. Mnatsakanyan, in 1971-1972, and in 1975-1991 the excavations of the settlement and the tomb field were carried out by the expedition of the Department of Ancient Armenia of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Academy of Sciences of the ArmSSR. The investigated burials, made in pithoi and jars, were mainly found in the upper cultural layer of an already abandoned settlement dating back to the Hellenistic period. These burials do not con-tain accompanying goods, but the vertical and horizontal positions of the jars, their orientation relative to the cardinal points, the method of returning the upper part of the vessel back after its removal in order to place the individual in a fetal position into the vessel, as well as other distinctive features of the burial rite date back to the late 2nd-3 rd centuries AD and are similar to the jar burials of the Late Classical period of the Sevan basin and other the famous sites of Armenia.
This article presents seven seals found accidentally from the Lake Sevan basin (Tchambarak, Vahan... more This article presents seven seals found accidentally from the Lake Sevan basin (Tchambarak, Vahan, Azat, Hayravank etc.) during the last several decades. Three of these seals are kept in the Museum of History in Armenia, the others – in private collections. Among these the Neo-Babylonian and Achaemenid seals, as well as ancient intaglio with an image of Helios-Sol are particularly noteworthy. The studied seals give an idea of the mythological ideas, world view of the local population in anciеnt period, as well as trade and cultural interrelations with neighboring and other countires of the region. They enrich our knowledge of glyptics of the Lake Sevan and Armenia in general in ancient period.
Key words: Lake Sevan basin, glyptics, Neo-Babylonian, Achaemenid art, Late Hellenistic period, Roman Empire, Helios-Sol, Sasanid seals.
«Շիրակի պատմամշակութային ժառանգությունը. հայագիտության արդի հիմ-նահարցեր» 11-րդ միջազգային գիտաժողովի (Գյումրի, 23-25 սեպտեմբերի) նյութերի ժողովածու /ՀՀ ԳԱԱ Շիրակի հայագիտական հետազոտությունների կենտրոն; Խմբ. խորհուրդ՝ Ս.Հայրապետյան և այլք-Եր.: «Գիտություն», էջ 35-38:, 2022
«Շիրակի պատմամշակութային ժառանգությունը. հայագիտության արդի հիմ-նահարցեր» 11-րդ միջազգային գիտաժողովի (Գյումրի, 23-25 սեպտեմբերի) նյութերի ժողովածու /ՀՀ ԳԱԱ Շիրակի հայագիտական հետազոտությունների կենտրոն; Խմբ. խորհուրդ՝ Ս.Հայրապետյան և այլք-Եր.: «Գիտություն», էջ 35-38:, 2022
Among various antique subjects of artistic value the engraved precious and semi-precious gems – i... more Among various antique subjects of artistic value the engraved precious and semi-precious gems – intaglios - are of particular interest. Unique gemstones pleasing the eye with their different colors have been used as jewelry since the ancient times: pendants, cufflinks, gems set in rings added bright colors into everyday life. Unlike the mentioned objects, the distinctive features of intaglios are not the beauty of external view only, but also the images carved on their surfaces. These engravings like life frozen in stone are the most long-living witnesses of old times. Studying the images of everyday scenes, portraits of heroes, heraldic and other, can provide historians and art-historians with information about the way of life of our ancestors and the events from the past.
MORPHOLOGICAL AND TYPOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE BOWLS FROM TIGRANAKERT OF ARTSAKH The ceramics of t... more MORPHOLOGICAL AND TYPOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE BOWLS FROM TIGRANAKERT OF ARTSAKH The ceramics of the Classical period revealed from Tigranakert of Artsakh dating back to the I century BC – III century AD is presented in this article in wide morphological and functional variability. In the ceramic complex of Tigranakert there is a separate group of pottery that was used as tableware. In this paper we revise one of the most common types of this cookware – the bowls. The bowls were discovered within the layers of the Classical period both in the citadel area, and in the living quarters. This kind of ware has flat bottom and widening upwards body. The bowls of Tigranakert presented by a rich collection are morphologically similar and slightly differ only in their rim shapes. According to the studies of morphological peculiarities and aesthetic treatment of the bowls revealed from Tigranakert of Artsakh, we can venture a hypothesis that in the I century BC – III century AD its population ...
Կարճաղբյուրի` անտիկ դարաշրջանի բնակավայրը և դամբարանադաշտը գտնվում են Գեղարքունիքի մարզի Վարդենիս... more Կարճաղբյուրի` անտիկ դարաշրջանի բնակավայրը և դամբարանադաշտը գտնվում են Գեղարքունիքի մարզի Վարդենիսի շրջանի համանուն գյուղից 1,50 կմ դեպի արևելք: Դամբարանադաշտը հայտնաբերել և պեղել է պ.գ.թ. Հ. Մնացականյանի ղեկավարած արշավախումբը 1971-1972 թթ., իսկ 1975-1991 թթ. բնակավայրում և դամբարանադաշտում համատեղ պեղումներ է պարբերաբար կատարել հնագիտության և ազգագրության ինստիտուտի Հին Հայաստանի հնագիտության բաժնի արշավախումբը: Ուսումնասիրության առարկա թաղումները կատարված կարասների, ծափերի և կճուճների մեջ, հիմնականում բացվել են արդեն լքված բնակավայրի վերին՝ հելլենիստական մշակութային շերտի մեջ: Այդ թաղումներն ուղեկցող գույք չեն պարունակում, բայց անոթների ուղղահայաց և հորիզոնական դիրքերով, երկրի կողմերի նկատմամբ իրենց հաստատուն ուղղվածությամբ, անոթի մեջ անհատի կծկված դիրքով, տեղավորելու համար անոթի վերին մասը հեռացնելուց հետո իր տեղը վերադարձնելու եղանակով, թաղման ծեսի մյուս գծերով թվագրվում են մ.թ. II դարի վերջ և III դարերով և համահունչ են Սևանի ավազանի և Հայաստանի անտիկ շրջանի մյուս հայտնի հուշարձաններում հայտնաբերված կարասային թաղումներին: Карчахбюрcкое поселение и могильник античного периода расположены в 1,50 км к востоку от одноименного села Варденисского района области Гегаркуник. Могильник был обнаружен и раскопан к.и.н. О. Мнацаканяном в 1971-1972 гг., а в 1975-1991 гг. раскопки поселения и могильника производила экспе-диция отдела археологии древней Армении Института археологии и этнографии АН АрмССР. Исследуемые погребения в карасах и кувшинах в основном были найдены в верхнем культурном слое уже заброшенного поселения, относящегося к эллинистическому периоду. Эти погребения не содержат сопутствующего инвентаря, а вертикальное и горизонтальное положения сосудов, их ориентация относительно сторон света, способ возвращения верхней части сосуда на место после его удаления с целью размещения в сосуде индивида в скорченном положении, а также другие особенности погребального обряда указывают на то, что погребения можно датировать примерно концом II–III вв. н.э. Они имеют сходство с кувшинными погребениями античного периода Севанского бассейна и других известных памятников Армении. The settlement and the cemetery of Karchaghbyur are located 1.50 km east of the vil-lage of the same name in the Vardenis district of the region of Gegharkunik. The cemetery was discovered and excavated by Dr.H. Mnatsakanyan, in 1971-1972, and in 1975-1991 the excavations of the settlement and the cemetery were carried out by the expedition of the Department of Ancient Armenia of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Academy of Sciences of the ArmSSR. The investigated burials, made in pithoi and jars, were mainly found in the upper cultural layer of an already abandoned settlement dating back to the Hellenistic period. These burials do not contain accompanying goods, but the vertical and horizontal positions of the jars, their orientation relative to the cardinal points, the method of returning the upper part of the vessel back after its removal in order to place the individual in a fetal position into the vessel, as well as other distinctive features of the burial rite date back to the late 2nd-3 rd centuries AD and are similar to the jar burials of the Late Classical period of the Sevan basin and other the famous sites of Armenia.
The stamped pottery is of a great significance for the research of the material and spiritual cul... more The stamped pottery is of a great significance for the research of the material and spiritual culture of the Classical period (I century BC - III century AD) of Tigranakert of Artsakh (the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous region). The ceramic assemblage includes vessels of different forms and styles, as well as elaborately decorated, black and grey polished, stamped and incised examples. The examples, decorated with stamped ornamentation make a small, but diverse group in this collection. Distinctive examples of the stamped pottery discovered during the excavations of Tigranakert at different field seasons are black, polished goblets, phialas and fragments of bowls, decorated with stamped images of grape clusters. The elegant execution of the design of the polished black cluster-bearing vessels, with a dense black slip and surface polishing leave an impression of lacquering. All these characteristics allow suggesting that they were used for a particular purpose. The next group of the stamped pottery of Tigranakert is presented by potsherds with surface color that varies from light reddish-pink to ochre. They bear stamped decorations of a tree or a leaf in different positions. Pottery with different stamped decorations had been widespread in the Armenian highlands since the Urartian period. Only a few examples of stamped pottery are known from sites of the Classical period in Armenia (Artashat, Avan, Yervandashat). In this context, the stamped pottery of Tigranakert is of a great importance. It reveals essential evidence regarding the trade and cultural connections, cultural innovations, and the cultural role Tigranakert played in the region in the Classical period. Для изучения материальной и духовной культуры Арцахского Тигранакерта античного периода (I в. до н.э. - III в. н.э.) большое источниковедческое значение имеет посуда. Керамический ассортимент включает не только сосуды различных форм, но и богато орнаментированные, черные и серые лощеные, штампованные образцы и также сосуды с резной орнаментацией. В этом штампованным методом. Исключительными примерами штампованной керамики являются выявленные благодаря раскопкам Тигранакерта в различные годы черные, лощеные до зеркального блеска кубки, чаши-пиалы и фрагменты мисок, с внутренней стороны украшенные штампованными изображениями гроздей винограда. Изящное исполнение всей композиции чернолощеных сосудов, украшенных изображениями гроздей винограда, черная густая обмазка, лощение, которое оставляет впечатление черной лакировки, придают этим сосудам особую красоту и позволяют предположить, что они использовались в особых целях. Следующую группу сосудов Тигранакерта со штампованным орнаментом составляют фрагменты с оттенками от светло-красно-розового до охристого. На них представлены изображения дерева или листьев, имеющих различное расположение.
The article is devoted to one of the jar burials discovered in 2018 during excavations of the Eas... more The article is devoted to one of the jar burials discovered in 2018 during excavations of the Eastern tomb field of Tigranakert of Artsakh. That is a gorgeous painted karas with ornamental and figurative bands of various motifs painted in red on a light background. The central and widest part of the vessel bears a depiction of a deer hunting scene happening on both sides of a dense tree with scattered branches. An infantryman and two horsemen armed with long spears and accompanied by hunting dogs, chase a doe and a deer. Hunting scene has been popular and widespread since ancient times. Deer hunting scene is found among the petroglyphs of the Armenian Highlands, on the bronze belts and other decorative-applied works of art from the ancient sites of Armenia and neighboring countries. This theme is especially prevalent in Achaemenid glyptic, in the fine arts of the Classical period, and in the toreutics of the Sasanian period.
ԱՐՄԱՎԻՐ ՄԱՅՐԱՔԱՂԱՔԻ ԴԱՄԲԱՐԱՆԱԴԱՇՏԻ ԿԱՐԱՍԱՅԻՆ ԹԱՂՈՒՄՆԵՐԻ ՏԵՂԱԴՐՈՒԹՅԱՆ ԵՎ ԺԱՄԱՆԱԿԱԳՐՈՒԹՅԱՆ ՍԱՀՄԱՆՆԵՐԸ, 2024
Armavir, the capital of Ancient Armenia, occupies the territory of the eponymous hill (height - 8... more Armavir, the capital of Ancient Armenia, occupies the territory of the eponymous hill (height - 80 m), bordering the city of Argishtikhinili, built in the 8th century BC on the west-east ridge in the central part of the Ararat plain, and the territory between the villages of Haykavan, Jrashen, Artagers, Armavir. As a result of continuous studies conducted since 1962, it became clear, that Ar-mavir was occupied in different periods. Layers from pre-Urartian period (4th - begin-ning of the 1st millennium BC) to the High Middle Ages (10 – 13th centuries) were re-vealed. The main attention of the research was focused on the study of the citadel and some parts of the city quarters, while the problem of studying the necropolis remained unsolved. Although, it should be noted that even from preliminary excavations carried out during various economic, construction of irrigation network and burials in modern cemeteries on the slopes of a hill, at the foot, in various parts of the city quarters, buri-als from the Early Bronze Age to the Late Middle Ages were accidentally revealed, and among them there were burials of the Classical period. The burials made here are rep-resented by traditional types: ground, stone boxes, burials with oval-shaped masonry, as well as jar burials, which are the focus of this article. The study of the material makes it possible to clarify the distribution boundaries of the jar burials in the capital Armavir, their orientation in relation to the cardinal points, funeral rites, rituals, and in the case of the presence of related material and by study-ing its assortment, to establish the location of the necropolis of the capital city and to determine the period of its existence.
Археология и история древней Передней и Центральной Азии. Материалы международной научной конференции, посвящённой 100-летию со дня рождения Бориса Анатольевича Литвинского, 2023
This article is devoted to the bronze seal found in Lernakert village (formerly known as Shirvanj... more This article is devoted to the bronze seal found in Lernakert village (formerly known as Shirvanjyugh) of Shirak region of the Republic of Armenia. The lower flat surface of the seal with loop handle bears images of a galloping horse (or mule) and heavenly bodies placed above and below its body. The seal from Lernakert doesn’t have any similarities among the glyptic samples found on the territory of Armenia. We can see its closest analogies in Georgia, where twelve samples of similar bronze seals with loop handle have been discovered from the sites of the Classical period. According to the results of the study of materials from precisely dated archaeological complexes of Georgia, as well as materials found during excavations of the newly discovered monument of Lernakert in recent years, this seal can be attributed to the 3rd century BC. Although no analogues of the bronze seal of Lernakert have been found on synchronous monuments in Armenia till today, nevertheless, parallels of its composition can be seen among a number of Urartian seals dated back to the 7th century BC. On the one hand, this seal may indicate the inheritance of the Urartian culture in the Hellenistic period and fulfill our knowledge about the mythological, religious ideas of our ancestors. On the other hand, this discovery may be an evidence of the existence of trade, economic and cultural connections between Armenia and Iberia in the Hellenistic period.
The culture of jar burials in the Classical period occupied a significant territory of the Near E... more The culture of jar burials in the Classical period occupied a significant territory of the Near East, the Mediterranean and Asia Minor, including the Armenian Highlands and Transcaucasia up to the Kura River. Jar burials were the most common and the most archaeologically documented among all types of ancient burials in Artsakh and Utik. Against the background of the whole variety of burial structures (stone boxes, cists, ground burials, etc.), those became predominant, especially at the end of the first century BC – the first centuries AD. The jar burials of Utik were studied by Azerbaijani archaeologists (Mingachevir, Galatepe, Garakobar, etc.) and were presented as a kind of culture, the bearers of which were various Albanian tribes. It was synchronous with the culture of Yaloylutepe, spread on the right bank of the Kura and completely different from the culture of jar burials (ground burials with rather crouched skeleton and specific ceramics). The analysis of the peculiarities of the funeral rite and inventory, revealed during the excavations of Tigranakert of Artsakh and other sites of the region (Martakert, Chankatakh, Aterk), allows us to expand our understanding of the significant differences between the cultures of jar burials and Yaloylutepe culture. That could be a new argument in favor of the concept of defining the Kura River as ethnic border in the Classical period.
Հնագիտության և ազգագրության ինստիտուտի աշխատություններ , 2023
Արցախի Տիգրանակերտի անտիկ ժամանակաշրջանի (մ.թ.ա. 1-ին – մ.թ. 3-րդ դդ.) նյութական և հոգևոր մշակույ... more Արցախի Տիգրանակերտի անտիկ ժամանակաշրջանի (մ.թ.ա. 1-ին – մ.թ. 3-րդ դդ.) նյութական և հոգևոր մշակույթի ուսումնասիրության առումով մեծ աղբյուրագիտական նշանակություն ունի վերոհիշյալ ժամանակաշրջանի խեցեղենը, որը մեկ ու կես տասնամյակ տևած պեղումների ամենաառատ հնագիտական նյութն է: Այն, բացի ձևերի բազմազանությունից հանդես է բերում նաև մեկ այլ առանձնահատկություն. ներկայանում է շքեղ գունազարդ, սև և մոխրագույն, փայլեցված, դրոշմազարդ և փորագիր զարդերով հարդարված տեսակներով: Այս շարքում թեև փոքրաքանակ, բայց յուրահատուկ խումբ են կազմում դրոշմազարդման եղանակով հարդարված անոթները, որոնք կարող են լույս սփռել Տիգրանակերտի մշակութային նորամուծությունների, առևտրա-մշակութային կապերի և տարածաշրջանում նրա խաղացած մշակութային դերակատարման վրա:
The archaeological complex of Agarak is located in the Aragatsotn province of the Republic of
Arm... more The archaeological complex of Agarak is located in the Aragatsotn province of the Republic of Armenia, on the western bank of the Amberd river, on the territory of Agarak and Voskehat villages. During the excavations carried out in 2001-2012 the expedition of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of the NAS RA revealed residential areas and burials, indicating a long occupation of the site – from the Early Bronze Age to the Middle Ages. The burials discovered in Agarak belong to Classial Antiquity and differ from each other in funerary rites and burial structures (stone chests, cist, ground and jar burials). In the Hellenistic period, jar burials were common in the region, and already in the first centuries AD they acquired a mass character and have been recorded both on the ancient burial grounds of Armenia (Artashat, Garni, Dvin, Vagharshapat, Avan, Shirakavan, Beniamin, Artsakh Tigranakert, etc.), and neighboring Georgia and Caucasian Albania. The ten jar burials, excavated in Agarak, were mostly placed in a horizontal position with no specific orientation. The deceased was placed in a jug in a flexed position on the right or left side, after breaking the upper part of the vessel. Then the fragments were returned to their place. The grave goods of jar burials give an idea of the life and beliefs of the society of that period. The study of the Agarak jar burials reveals the use of this type of burials from the 6th century BC to the 3rd century AD, and the analysis of the accompanying grave goods indicates that it does not differ in any way from the inventory of other types of burials of the Agarak burial ground. This fact testifies to the uniformity of material culture, differences in funeral rites, while maintaining cultural unity and a similar worldview of the population of the synchronous sites of Armenia.
Մաստարա հնավայրը գտնվում է Արագածոտնի մարզի ներկայիս նույնանուն գյուղից 2–3 կմ արևմուտք, ծովի մակ... more Մաստարա հնավայրը գտնվում է Արագածոտնի մարզի ներկայիս նույնանուն գյուղից 2–3 կմ արևմուտք, ծովի մակերևույթից 1815 մ բարձրություն ունեցող լեռնազանգվածի միջնալանջին: Նորագյուտ հուշարձանի երկու տարվա (2017–2018 թթ.) դաշտային պեղաշրջան տևած աշխատանքների ընթացքում ձեռք բերված փաստերի ամբողջությունից կարելի է եզրակացնել, որ Մաստարա հնավայրում վաղ բրոնզի բնակավայրից պահպանված պատերի մնացորդների վրա հելլենիստական և ուշ անտիկ դարաշրջաններում գոյություն է ունեցել մի նշանակալի բնակավայր: Այն ունեցել է պարսպապատով շրջապատված ընդարձակ թաղամասեր, բնակարանային համալիրներ և պարսպապատի հյուսիս-արևելքից հարավ-արևմուտք ձգվող հատվածի արտաքին, արևելահայաց երեսին կից տեղադրված դամբարանադաշտ: Այստեղ բացվել են բնակավայրին ժամանակակից (մ.թ.ա 3-րդ – մ.թ. 3-րդ դարերի առաջին կես) քարարկղային դամբարաններ, որոնցից երեքի մեջ կատարվել են հետազոտվող՝ իջեցուկ կարասային թաղումները: Մաստարայի կարասային թաղումների այս իրավիճակը օգնում է ճշգրտելու բնակավայրի բնակության վերացման ժամանակը: Քննարվող կարասային թաղումների այս ...
The article is devoted to one of the jar burials discovered in 2018 during excavations of the Eas... more The article is devoted to one of the jar burials discovered in 2018 during excavations of the Eastern tomb field of Tigranakert of Artsakh. That is a gorgeous painted karas with ornamental and figurative bands of various motifs painted in red on a light background. The central and widest part of the vessel bears a depiction of a deer hunting scene happening on both sides of a dense tree with scattered branches. An infantryman and two horsemen armed with long spears and accompanied by hunting dogs, chase a doe and a deer. Hunting scene has been popular and widespread since ancient times. Deer hunting scene is found among the petroglyphs of the Armenian Highlands, on the bronze belts and other decorative-applied works of art from the ancient sites of Armenia and neighboring countries. This theme is especially prevalent in Achaemenid glyptic, in the fine arts of the Classical period, and in the toreutics of the Sasanian period.
THE JAR BURIALS OF THE CLASSICAL PERIOD OF KARCHAGHBYUR, 2023
The settlement and the tomb field of Karchaghbyur are located 1.50 km east of the village of the ... more The settlement and the tomb field of Karchaghbyur are located 1.50 km east of the village of the same name in the Vardenis district of the region of Gegharkunik. The tomb field was discovered and excavated by Dr.H. Mnatsakanyan, in 1971-1972, and in 1975-1991 the excavations of the settlement and the tomb field were carried out by the expedition of the Department of Ancient Armenia of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Academy of Sciences of the ArmSSR. The investigated burials, made in pithoi and jars, were mainly found in the upper cultural layer of an already abandoned settlement dating back to the Hellenistic period. These burials do not con-tain accompanying goods, but the vertical and horizontal positions of the jars, their orientation relative to the cardinal points, the method of returning the upper part of the vessel back after its removal in order to place the individual in a fetal position into the vessel, as well as other distinctive features of the burial rite date back to the late 2nd-3 rd centuries AD and are similar to the jar burials of the Late Classical period of the Sevan basin and other the famous sites of Armenia.
This article presents seven seals found accidentally from the Lake Sevan basin (Tchambarak, Vahan... more This article presents seven seals found accidentally from the Lake Sevan basin (Tchambarak, Vahan, Azat, Hayravank etc.) during the last several decades. Three of these seals are kept in the Museum of History in Armenia, the others – in private collections. Among these the Neo-Babylonian and Achaemenid seals, as well as ancient intaglio with an image of Helios-Sol are particularly noteworthy. The studied seals give an idea of the mythological ideas, world view of the local population in anciеnt period, as well as trade and cultural interrelations with neighboring and other countires of the region. They enrich our knowledge of glyptics of the Lake Sevan and Armenia in general in ancient period.
Key words: Lake Sevan basin, glyptics, Neo-Babylonian, Achaemenid art, Late Hellenistic period, Roman Empire, Helios-Sol, Sasanid seals.
«Շիրակի պատմամշակութային ժառանգությունը. հայագիտության արդի հիմ-նահարցեր» 11-րդ միջազգային գիտաժողովի (Գյումրի, 23-25 սեպտեմբերի) նյութերի ժողովածու /ՀՀ ԳԱԱ Շիրակի հայագիտական հետազոտությունների կենտրոն; Խմբ. խորհուրդ՝ Ս.Հայրապետյան և այլք-Եր.: «Գիտություն», էջ 35-38:, 2022
«Շիրակի պատմամշակութային ժառանգությունը. հայագիտության արդի հիմ-նահարցեր» 11-րդ միջազգային գիտաժողովի (Գյումրի, 23-25 սեպտեմբերի) նյութերի ժողովածու /ՀՀ ԳԱԱ Շիրակի հայագիտական հետազոտությունների կենտրոն; Խմբ. խորհուրդ՝ Ս.Հայրապետյան և այլք-Եր.: «Գիտություն», էջ 35-38:, 2022
Among various antique subjects of artistic value the engraved precious and semi-precious gems – i... more Among various antique subjects of artistic value the engraved precious and semi-precious gems – intaglios - are of particular interest. Unique gemstones pleasing the eye with their different colors have been used as jewelry since the ancient times: pendants, cufflinks, gems set in rings added bright colors into everyday life. Unlike the mentioned objects, the distinctive features of intaglios are not the beauty of external view only, but also the images carved on their surfaces. These engravings like life frozen in stone are the most long-living witnesses of old times. Studying the images of everyday scenes, portraits of heroes, heraldic and other, can provide historians and art-historians with information about the way of life of our ancestors and the events from the past.
MORPHOLOGICAL AND TYPOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE BOWLS FROM TIGRANAKERT OF ARTSAKH The ceramics of t... more MORPHOLOGICAL AND TYPOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE BOWLS FROM TIGRANAKERT OF ARTSAKH The ceramics of the Classical period revealed from Tigranakert of Artsakh dating back to the I century BC – III century AD is presented in this article in wide morphological and functional variability. In the ceramic complex of Tigranakert there is a separate group of pottery that was used as tableware. In this paper we revise one of the most common types of this cookware – the bowls. The bowls were discovered within the layers of the Classical period both in the citadel area, and in the living quarters. This kind of ware has flat bottom and widening upwards body. The bowls of Tigranakert presented by a rich collection are morphologically similar and slightly differ only in their rim shapes. According to the studies of morphological peculiarities and aesthetic treatment of the bowls revealed from Tigranakert of Artsakh, we can venture a hypothesis that in the I century BC – III century AD its population ...
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Papers by Armine Gabrielyan
As a result of continuous studies conducted since 1962, it became clear, that Ar-mavir was occupied in different periods. Layers from pre-Urartian period (4th - begin-ning of the 1st millennium BC) to the High Middle Ages (10 – 13th centuries) were re-vealed. The main attention of the research was focused on the study of the citadel and some parts of the city quarters, while the problem of studying the necropolis remained unsolved.
Although, it should be noted that even from preliminary excavations carried out during various economic, construction of irrigation network and burials in modern cemeteries on the slopes of a hill, at the foot, in various parts of the city quarters, buri-als from the Early Bronze Age to the Late Middle Ages were accidentally revealed, and among them there were burials of the Classical period. The burials made here are rep-resented by traditional types: ground, stone boxes, burials with oval-shaped masonry, as well as jar burials, which are the focus of this article.
The study of the material makes it possible to clarify the distribution boundaries of the jar burials in the capital Armavir, their orientation in relation to the cardinal points, funeral rites, rituals, and in the case of the presence of related material and by study-ing its assortment, to establish the location of the necropolis of the capital city and to determine the period of its existence.
Although no analogues of the bronze seal of Lernakert have been found on synchronous monuments in Armenia till today, nevertheless, parallels of its composition can be seen among a number of Urartian seals dated back to the 7th century BC.
On the one hand, this seal may indicate the inheritance of the Urartian culture in the Hellenistic period and fulfill our knowledge about the mythological, religious ideas of our ancestors. On the other hand, this discovery may be an evidence of the existence of trade, economic and cultural connections between Armenia and Iberia in the Hellenistic period.
The jar burials of Utik were studied by Azerbaijani archaeologists (Mingachevir, Galatepe, Garakobar, etc.) and were presented as a kind of culture, the bearers of which were various Albanian tribes. It was synchronous with the culture of Yaloylutepe, spread on the right bank of the Kura and completely different from the culture of jar burials (ground burials with rather crouched skeleton and specific ceramics).
The analysis of the peculiarities of the funeral rite and inventory, revealed during the excavations of Tigranakert of Artsakh and other sites of the region (Martakert, Chankatakh, Aterk), allows us to expand our understanding of the significant differences between the cultures of jar burials and Yaloylutepe culture. That could be a new argument in favor of the concept of defining the Kura River as ethnic border in the Classical period.
Այն, բացի ձևերի բազմազանությունից հանդես է բերում նաև մեկ այլ առանձնահատկություն. ներկայանում է շքեղ գունազարդ, սև և մոխրագույն, փայլեցված, դրոշմազարդ և փորագիր զարդերով հարդարված տեսակներով: Այս շարքում թեև փոքրաքանակ, բայց յուրահատուկ խումբ են կազմում դրոշմազարդման եղանակով հարդարված անոթները, որոնք կարող են լույս սփռել Տիգրանակերտի մշակութային նորամուծությունների, առևտրա-մշակութային կապերի և տարածաշրջանում նրա խաղացած մշակութային դերակատարման վրա:
Armenia, on the western bank of the Amberd river, on the territory of Agarak and Voskehat villages. During the
excavations carried out in 2001-2012 the expedition of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of the NAS
RA revealed residential areas and burials, indicating a long occupation of the site – from the Early Bronze Age
to the Middle Ages. The burials discovered in Agarak belong to Classial Antiquity and differ from each other
in funerary rites and burial structures (stone chests, cist, ground and jar burials). In the Hellenistic period,
jar burials were common in the region, and already in the first centuries AD they acquired a mass character
and have been recorded both on the ancient burial grounds of Armenia (Artashat, Garni, Dvin, Vagharshapat,
Avan, Shirakavan, Beniamin, Artsakh Tigranakert, etc.), and neighboring Georgia and Caucasian Albania. The
ten jar burials, excavated in Agarak, were mostly placed in a horizontal position with no specific orientation.
The deceased was placed in a jug in a flexed position on the right or left side, after breaking the upper part
of the vessel. Then the fragments were returned to their place. The grave goods of jar burials give an idea of
the life and beliefs of the society of that period. The study of the Agarak jar burials reveals the use of this type
of burials from the 6th century BC to the 3rd century AD, and the analysis of the accompanying grave goods
indicates that it does not differ in any way from the inventory of other types of burials of the Agarak burial
ground. This fact testifies to the uniformity of material culture, differences in funeral rites, while maintaining
cultural unity and a similar worldview of the population of the synchronous sites of Armenia.
Among these the Neo-Babylonian and Achaemenid seals, as well as ancient intaglio with an image of Helios-Sol are particularly noteworthy. The studied seals give an idea of the mythological ideas, world view of the local population in anciеnt period, as well as trade and cultural interrelations with neighboring and other countires of the region. They enrich our knowledge of glyptics of the Lake Sevan and Armenia in general in ancient period.
Key words: Lake Sevan basin, glyptics, Neo-Babylonian, Achaemenid art, Late Hellenistic period, Roman Empire, Helios-Sol, Sasanid seals.
As a result of continuous studies conducted since 1962, it became clear, that Ar-mavir was occupied in different periods. Layers from pre-Urartian period (4th - begin-ning of the 1st millennium BC) to the High Middle Ages (10 – 13th centuries) were re-vealed. The main attention of the research was focused on the study of the citadel and some parts of the city quarters, while the problem of studying the necropolis remained unsolved.
Although, it should be noted that even from preliminary excavations carried out during various economic, construction of irrigation network and burials in modern cemeteries on the slopes of a hill, at the foot, in various parts of the city quarters, buri-als from the Early Bronze Age to the Late Middle Ages were accidentally revealed, and among them there were burials of the Classical period. The burials made here are rep-resented by traditional types: ground, stone boxes, burials with oval-shaped masonry, as well as jar burials, which are the focus of this article.
The study of the material makes it possible to clarify the distribution boundaries of the jar burials in the capital Armavir, their orientation in relation to the cardinal points, funeral rites, rituals, and in the case of the presence of related material and by study-ing its assortment, to establish the location of the necropolis of the capital city and to determine the period of its existence.
Although no analogues of the bronze seal of Lernakert have been found on synchronous monuments in Armenia till today, nevertheless, parallels of its composition can be seen among a number of Urartian seals dated back to the 7th century BC.
On the one hand, this seal may indicate the inheritance of the Urartian culture in the Hellenistic period and fulfill our knowledge about the mythological, religious ideas of our ancestors. On the other hand, this discovery may be an evidence of the existence of trade, economic and cultural connections between Armenia and Iberia in the Hellenistic period.
The jar burials of Utik were studied by Azerbaijani archaeologists (Mingachevir, Galatepe, Garakobar, etc.) and were presented as a kind of culture, the bearers of which were various Albanian tribes. It was synchronous with the culture of Yaloylutepe, spread on the right bank of the Kura and completely different from the culture of jar burials (ground burials with rather crouched skeleton and specific ceramics).
The analysis of the peculiarities of the funeral rite and inventory, revealed during the excavations of Tigranakert of Artsakh and other sites of the region (Martakert, Chankatakh, Aterk), allows us to expand our understanding of the significant differences between the cultures of jar burials and Yaloylutepe culture. That could be a new argument in favor of the concept of defining the Kura River as ethnic border in the Classical period.
Այն, բացի ձևերի բազմազանությունից հանդես է բերում նաև մեկ այլ առանձնահատկություն. ներկայանում է շքեղ գունազարդ, սև և մոխրագույն, փայլեցված, դրոշմազարդ և փորագիր զարդերով հարդարված տեսակներով: Այս շարքում թեև փոքրաքանակ, բայց յուրահատուկ խումբ են կազմում դրոշմազարդման եղանակով հարդարված անոթները, որոնք կարող են լույս սփռել Տիգրանակերտի մշակութային նորամուծությունների, առևտրա-մշակութային կապերի և տարածաշրջանում նրա խաղացած մշակութային դերակատարման վրա:
Armenia, on the western bank of the Amberd river, on the territory of Agarak and Voskehat villages. During the
excavations carried out in 2001-2012 the expedition of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of the NAS
RA revealed residential areas and burials, indicating a long occupation of the site – from the Early Bronze Age
to the Middle Ages. The burials discovered in Agarak belong to Classial Antiquity and differ from each other
in funerary rites and burial structures (stone chests, cist, ground and jar burials). In the Hellenistic period,
jar burials were common in the region, and already in the first centuries AD they acquired a mass character
and have been recorded both on the ancient burial grounds of Armenia (Artashat, Garni, Dvin, Vagharshapat,
Avan, Shirakavan, Beniamin, Artsakh Tigranakert, etc.), and neighboring Georgia and Caucasian Albania. The
ten jar burials, excavated in Agarak, were mostly placed in a horizontal position with no specific orientation.
The deceased was placed in a jug in a flexed position on the right or left side, after breaking the upper part
of the vessel. Then the fragments were returned to their place. The grave goods of jar burials give an idea of
the life and beliefs of the society of that period. The study of the Agarak jar burials reveals the use of this type
of burials from the 6th century BC to the 3rd century AD, and the analysis of the accompanying grave goods
indicates that it does not differ in any way from the inventory of other types of burials of the Agarak burial
ground. This fact testifies to the uniformity of material culture, differences in funeral rites, while maintaining
cultural unity and a similar worldview of the population of the synchronous sites of Armenia.
Among these the Neo-Babylonian and Achaemenid seals, as well as ancient intaglio with an image of Helios-Sol are particularly noteworthy. The studied seals give an idea of the mythological ideas, world view of the local population in anciеnt period, as well as trade and cultural interrelations with neighboring and other countires of the region. They enrich our knowledge of glyptics of the Lake Sevan and Armenia in general in ancient period.
Key words: Lake Sevan basin, glyptics, Neo-Babylonian, Achaemenid art, Late Hellenistic period, Roman Empire, Helios-Sol, Sasanid seals.