Download Beheaded skeleton and chain: Recent artifacts of Armenian

Beheaded skeleton and chain: Recent artifacts of
Armenian-Polish expedition in Metsamor
By Ani Afyan
Armenia News - NEWS.am – 24/9/2016
The road to the fortress city Metsamor passes by picturesque Ararat valley.
The fortress is at a distance of 35 km from Yerevan, on the bank of
Metsamor river. It occupies the entire surface of the volcanic hill.
The excavations, which began on this territory back in 1965, are continuing
up to now, although with interruptions. The cultural layers found during
the archaeological work date to earlier periods of the Middle and Late
Bronze Age, Early and Developed Iron Age and medieval era.
The found artifacts are preserved in the historical and archaeological
museum opened in the territory of the fortress in 1968. Currently, the
museum is a home to more than 22,000 exhibits.
According to conservation architect Tigran Zakyan, agate drop ornament in
the form of the Babylonian king Ulam-Buriaš’s (16th century BC) frog
occupies a special place among the artifacts. Another unique exhibit is the
stamps from red cornelian with Egyptian hieroglyphics belonging to another
Babylonian king, Kurigalzu (15th century BC).
Besides, the museums preserves the most ancient golden jewelry (3rd
millennium BC) found in the territory of Armenia. It is supposed to be a
child’s hairpin, Zakyan noted.
Artifacts are indicative of the fact that Metsamor has from the most
ancient times been a a junction of primary caravan routes, passing via
Ararat valley and linking Western Asia with South Caucasus.
In 2013, the Armenian archaeologist together with his Polish colleagues
from Warsaw National Museum of Archaeology launched the excavations outside
the fortress walls.
The head of the archaeological expedition Ashot Piliposyan, who is also the
Deputy Director of the Service for the Protection of Historical Environment
and Cultural Museum Reservations, showed a golden and carnelian chain found
about ten days ago. The excavations ended this year, he noted.
In Piliposyan’s words, the excavation revealed several rooms, in which
traces of fire were found. Several big vessels were found in them too.
Apart from this, the archaeologists excavated several skeletons, including
that of a 6-year-old child.
One of the dug out skeletons is remarkable for its being beheaded; it held
a jar in its hands. Apparently, this was case of sudden violent death,
Zakyan said. The fortress territory is full of unexamined sides, but this
is a matter of time and financial support, he concluded.
Jar found in the hands of beheaded skeleton
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