Archaeologists discover ancient cornelian/gold necklace in Metsamor castle site

Excavation works at the Metsamor Castle-site have been quite productive this year. Professor Ashot Piliposyan, doctor of historical sciences, Deputy Scientific Director of the SNCO “Preservation Service” told “Armenpress” a cornelian and gold necklace has been discovered at the site, dating back to the last quarter of the 2nd millennium of the late Bronze Age, early Iron Age. The necklace will be preserved in the Metsamor Museum.

“The excavations at Metsamor are carried out by a joint Armenian-Polish expedition. Every year excavations at the site begin on 15th of August until 30th of September”, Piliposyan said. According to him the expedition is carried out by joint financing. The State Committee of Science of the Culture Ministry is financing the works from the Armenian side.

Metsamor Castle, is the remains of an old fortress located to the southwest of the Armenian village of Taronik, in the Armavir Province. It has been populated starting from the 5th millennium BC until the 18th century AD. The excavations of the tombs of Metsamor Castle began in 1965.

The site is noted for its observatory and temple complexes consisted of seven sanctuaries. Neolithic stone circles dating back to ca. 5000 BC stand within the historical site, interpreted by enthusiasts of archaeoastronomy as an astronomical “observatory”.