From June 2017 excavations have been implemented in the territory of Martakert region’s Tsmakahogh village’s Holy Stepanos church. Hamlet Petrosyan is the head of the archaeological expedition. Excavations are held in Tsmakahogh village’s Holy Stepanos tomb, on which a church and a chapel are placed. Archaeologists believe they are unique in Atsakh.
Hamlet Petrosyan says the church might have been built in 5-6th centuries, when Vachagan the Devout was making reforms, tombs looking like the grave of Jesus were being built in Jerusalem. Tsmakahogh’s Holy Stepanos tomb is that kind of building.
A number of khachqar fragments have been found during excavations. The early Christian winged cross was found only in Tigranakert and Berdashen. There are fragments with grapes ornaments and a lamp among the foundings. Specialists do not make conclusions about them yet. They need to be researched, after which will be introduced to public.
With the support of benefactor Suren Grigoryan excavations in the territory of Holy Stepanos are going on.
