Urartu Era Items Looted in Argishtikhinili
The police of Armavir region arrested 2 persons connected to the lootings of the Argishtikhinili monument. As “Armenpress” was informed by the “Historical-Cultural Reserve-Museums and Historical Environment Protection Service” SNCO that law enforcement agencies are preparing documents regarding the case. The accused, Eduard Vardanyan and MIsak Simonyan were temporarily released after returning the looted properties.
According to the senior researcher of the Archeology and Ethnography Institute of the National Academy of Sciences, doctor of historical sciences Inessa Karapetyan, the looters dismantled the upper layer of the western part of the monument and came into possession of Urartu era items, which present historic-cultural value.
The indicated area of the monument had previously been researched and excavated by archeologist Harutyun Martirosyan. However there are still unexplored areas.
Inessa Karapetyan does not rule out the possibility that the looters might return other materials as a result of the police investigation.
The Urartu era Argishtikhinili castle (built in 776 B.C.), is included in the list of state property and is considered a monument of national value and is not subject to alienation.
