Results of the 2025 Excavations: 12 Reports Presented on April 3

On April 1–3, 2026, presentations of reports on archaeological surveys and excavations conducted in 2025 were held in the reading hall of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (IAE NAS RA). Over the course of three days, a total of 36 reports were presented, covering research carried out in various regions of the Republic of Armenia as well as in Yerevan. The presentations were attended by the Director of the IAE NAS RA, Arsen Bobokhyan, members of the Institute, students, and guests.

On April 3, twelve reports were presented. The session was chaired by Astghik Babajanyan, Senior Researcher and Scientific Secretary of the IAE, who also delivered a separate presentation. She presented the results of the 2025 investigations and excavations carried out at the Aruch fortress complex. The site was in use from approximately the 5th century AD until the 13th–14th centuries, as well as in the 20th century. The work was conducted within the framework of the project “Medieval Fortifications along the Silk Road.”

Archaeologist Simon Hmayakyan, Senior Researcher of the IAE, PhD, addressed the archaeological excavations carried out at the historical site of Argishtikhinili in Armavir Province, as well as in the cemetery and rural settlement of the same name. Archaeologist Inessa Karapetyan, PhD, presented the archaeological investigations and excavations conducted in 2025 at the ancient city of Old Armavir in Armavir Province. The report by Syuzanna Muradyan concerned the work carried out at the site of Yervandashat in the Baghramyan community of Armavir Province.

Mkrtich Zardaryan, PhD, head of the expedition conducting excavations at the historical capital of Artashat and at the site of “Klor Blur” near the village of Akunk in Gegharkunik Province, presented noteworthy data on both sites. Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Hamlet Petrosyan presented information on archaeological investigations and excavations carried out in the territory of the historical capital of Dvin, as well as at the nearby site of Tiknuni. In 2025, reconnaissance archaeological surveys were also conducted in Kond district of Yerevan, where, according to certain data, the presence of remains of a fortress from the Urartian period had been hypothesized. The work was carried out by Hamlet Petrosyan and archaeologist Hamazasp Abrahamyan. The report by archaeologist Gagik Sargsyan concerned two sites in Syunik Province: the Syunik capital Kapan and Vanandaberd.