In the territory of Odzaberd archaeological site, located on the eastern hill of Gegharquniq region’s Tsovinar village (state index 4.52.1), this year excavations have been implemented within the framework of the contract signed between “Protection Service” NCSO and RA’s State committee of science. In the head of the expedition Mikayel Badalyan’s words, this year excavations have mainly been concentrated on the eastern and north-eastern parts, as well as on the north-eastern wall territories. In the E section of the monument, located in the eastern part of the castle, a Cyclopean walls’ section has been opened, as well as platforms of little and middle stone sizes.
In M. Badalyan’s words the Cyclopean structure dates to 8-7 centuries BC. Further round 7-6 centuries BC, the major part of the territory has turned into platforms.
“This is an important discovery, which gives us the opportunity to understand, how the residents of Odzaberd organized the territory and what engineering and architectural solutions they have applied.
Several checking pitches were made in the site and as a result one more wall has been opened, mentioned the head of the archaeological expedition.
Extremely interesting facts have been minuted while researching the checking pits of the eastern wall. Although the opened bricks correspond to the Urartian bricks in their sizes, they differ in their appearance and composition.
In the above mentioned territory many fragments, animal bones, iron curls, bronze earrings, and other items have been found, mentioned M. Badalyan.
Interesting results have been reported in monuments’ D section, excavations have been implemented in 2 excavating areas. In the first one medium stones, plastering floors, gray layers, as well as a part of a structure (probably a wall or a platform), which had been damaged as a result of fire have been discovered. In the second excavation territory a part of a wall has been opened, where several constructing levels have been discovered.
The archaeologist mentioned the pottery material’s early stage dates to 8-7 centuries BC, later in 7-6 centuries BC reconstructions were done. In M. Badalyan’s words in this location as well archaeological items have been found.
Odzaberd is one of those unique places in Sevan, where in the last years due to researches many bricks have been found. According to preliminary remarks, the territory was used for economic applications in the later stages. Like in D 1 territory, here as well traces of fire have been found out. In the nearest future geomorphological researches will be done in D1 and D2 excavating areas. By the way, samples have been taken from all locations for archaeological researches.
In the words of the head of expedition, important and impressing results were recorded in north-eastern wall of the citadel and outward part of the tower during the excavations. Here a platform has been opened, which is directly connected to the tower and the wall. Platforms like this have been found as a result of Margahovit and Norabnak 1 excavations.
The excavations of Odzaberd give significant information about such questions as citadel constructing during middle and late iron ages, territory organizing, engineering, and the social activity of the residents. Interestingly enough, during the excavations in Odzaberd urartian layer has been recorded neither in the temple, nor in the citadel, but further excavations will give exact answers to this question.
By the way, archaeologists from St. Petersburg’s Hermitage, “Iranian Center for Iranian Studies” of the Iranian Islamic Republic and Australia, volunteers from Armenia and Russian Federation also took part in the excavation.
Odzaberd archaeological site is located between Tsovinar and Artsvanist communities. It is known to scientific sphere from the 1860’s. On one of the north-western cliffs of Odzaberd, the cuneiform inscription of the monarch of the kingdom of Van, Rusa I. (C, 735-713) is placed. Here the name of the archaeological site is written, which the urartian monarch named in the honor of God of Lightning Teisheba, the city of god Thaisheba. Thaiheba city was of great significance. It was an important site, which controlled the chain of temples spreading along Sevan’s southern pond, as well as the road leading to the gold mines of Sotq.
Odzaberd consists of a temple, a citadel and an outward residence.
