2006-RC-005

$5,920.00

Dr. Husik Melkonyan

Head ofthe  Medieval Archaeology Department, Institute of Archaeology & Ethnography, National Academy of Sciences, Republic of Armenia.

This proposal seeks support to conduct an archaeological study of a complex of historical monuments located in Vayots Dzor Marz dating to the 8^th to 5^th centuries BC.  Surface archaeological material suggests that the upper layer of the monuments belongs to the period of Mongol dominance (13^th – 14^th centuries AD), and that the area was part of an ancient trade route.  This trade route had its inception in the renowned capital of medieval Armenia, Dvin, passing eastwards to the Sharur Valley (Nakhijevan), then stretching to the north toward the famous Selim pass and continuing northward to Gegharkunik. From here via Sodk’ it passed to the east, reaching Part‘av, capital of medieval Aghvank.   The surface materials also suggest that this area was of great military and strategic significance during the Urartian period, and support the position that Vayots Dzor had been incorporated in the Urartian Kingdom. 

The project team will decipher Arabic and Persian inscriptions, relating to the period of Mongol domination, carved on the monuments lying on this ancient road. The archaeologists expect these inscriptions will yield valuable information on the medieval period of this important trade road.

This project will be of great significance not only for the study of various phases of the ancient and medieval culture of the Vayots Dzor Marz, but also because it will lay the groundwork for an examination of the history, socio-economic and international relations of contemporary Armenia.  The implementation of the project will also contribute to the Ph.D. dissertations of two participants in the project.

November, 2006 - November, 2007