Aruch Cathedral complex: New archaeological insights into the stratigraphy and historical development
Keywords:
Medieval archaeology, Silk Road, Armenia, Aragatsotn region, Aruch town, Cathedral complex area, excavations, material culture, 12-13th century ceramics, faunal assemblageAbstract
In 2022, within the framework of the collaborative project ‘Medieval Fortifications along the Silk Roads’, a joint initiative of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography NAS RA and the ISMEO – International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies, archaeological excavations and surveys were conducted at several sites in the village of Aruch. These included the religious and palatial complex surrounding the 7th-century Aruch Cathedral (Area 1), the early medieval military fort (Area 2), and the high medieval to early modern castle (Area 3). The primary objective of the test excavations was to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the fortified and secular architectural complexes of Aruch to refine the chronology, examine the stratigraphy, and reconstruct the historical development of the site through its various phases of occupation and use.
This paper focuses specifically on the results from the Cathedral complex area (Area 1). Since the early 20th century, the monumental Cathedral has drawn scholarly attention due to its architectural and historical significance. Large-scale excavations conducted in the early 1950s by Antiquities Preservation Committee revealed important components of the complex, including the 7th-century columned hall of Grigor Mamikonian’s palace, a preexisting 5th-century church that had been converted into a secular structure, as well as several other buildings. However, those investigations prioritized monumental architecture and neglected the site’s stratigraphic complexity and subsequent phases of occupation. The new excavations aim to address this gap, offering a deeper insight into the site’s later phases of occupation and transformation.
References
Arakel Davrizhetsi 1988. Patmutʽyun (History), T‘argmanut‘yunǝ, aṙaǰabanǝ ev canot‘agrut‘yunnerǝ V. Aṙak‘elyani (Translation, preface and notes by V. Arakelyan). Yerevan: Sovetakan groł (in Armenian).
Arakelyan, B.N. 1958. Kʽałakʽnerə ev arhestnerə Hayastanum IX-XIII darerum (Cities and Crafts in Armenia in the 9th–13th centuries), vol. 1. Yerevan: Haykakan SSH GA hratarakč‘ut‘yun/Publishing House of the Academy of Sciences of the Armenian SSR (in Armenian).
Augé, I., Baladian, A.T., Dangles, Ph. 2020. À l’est d’Ani: Forteresses et églises inédites du nord de l’Arménie. Paris: Académie des inscriptions et belles-lettres.
Avagyan, S. 1978. Vimakan arjanagrutʽyunneri baṙakʽnnutʽyun (Word Examination of the Epigraphs). Yerevan: Erevani hamalsarani hratarakč‘ut‘yun/Yerevan University Press (in Armenian).
Avetisyan, P.S., Bobokhyan, A.A. (eds) 2021. Archaeology of Armenia in Regional Context. Proceedings of the International Conference Dedicated to the 60th Anniversary of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography. Yerevan: Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography Press.
Babajanyan, A. 2023. Reinforcement of medieval infrastructure: Medieval castles and caravanserai in Aruch and Dashtadem along the Dvin-Ani transit route, Armenia. AJNES 17/1: 91-116.
Babajanyan, A., Ferdinandi, S. 2023 (unpublished report). Aruči miǰnadaryan dłyaki ev tačarakan hamaliri pełumnerə (Excavations of the medieval castle and Cathedral complex in Aruch). DHAA 2022: 64-95 (in Armenian).
Babajanyan, A., Aghaian, S., Davtyan, D., Melkonyan, H. 2021. A view on life in the medieval fortress at Dashtadem: Results of the 2015 and 2018 excavation campaigns. In: Avetisyan, Bobokhyan 2021: 373- 395.
Barkhudaryan, S. 2017. Divan hay vimagrutʽyan. Širak (Corpus inscriptionum armenicarum: Shirak region), liber 10. Yerevan: HH GAA ‘Gitut‘yun’ hratarakčut‘yun/Publishing House ‘Gitutyun’, NAS RA (in Armenian).
Casnati, G. (ed.) 2014. The politecnico di Milano in Armenia: An Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs project for Restoration Training and Support to Local Institutions for the Preservation and Conservation of Armenian Heritage. Milan: OEMME edizioni.
Davis, S.J.M. 1995. The Archaeology of Animals. Yale: Yale University Press.
Durnovo, L. 1952. Stennaja živopis’ v Aruče (Tališ) /(Mural painting in Aruch (Talish)/). THG 1: 49-66 (in Russian).
Ferdinandi, S. 2022. The Archaeological Mission of Aruch/Արուճ and the Incastellamento of the Silk Road: Preliminary Remarks. East and West 3: 21-70.
Ferdinandi, S., Bobokhyan, A., Dan, R., Petrosyan, A., Vitolo, P., Gasparyan, B., Avetisyan, P., Babajanyan, A. 2023. Dieci anni di attività archeologiche IAE NAS RA-ISMEO in Armenia (2013-2022). Roma: ISMEO.
Franklin, K. 2021. Everyday cosmopolitanism. Living the Silk Road in Medieval Armenia. Berkley, CA: University of California Press.
Ghazar Parpetsi 1982. Hayocʽ patmutʽyun. Tʽułtʽ aṙ Vahan Mamikonean (History of Armenians. Paper to Vahan Mamikonean). T‘argmanut‘yunǝ ev canot‘agrut‘yunnerǝ B. Ulubabyani (Translation and notes by B. Ulubabyan). Yerevan: Erevani hamalsarani hratarakč‘ut‘yun/Yerevan University Press (in Armenian).
Ghevond 1982. Patmutʽyun (History). T‘argmanut‘yunǝ, aṙaǰabanǝ ev canot‘agrut‘yunnerǝ A. TerŁevondyani (Translation, preface and notes by A. Ter-Ghevondyan). Yerevan: Sovetakan groł (in Armenian).
Harutyunyan, V. 1953. VII dari ašxarhik čartarapetutʽyan mi nor hušarjan (A new monument of the 7th century secular architecture). THG 8: 53-65.
Harutyunyan, V. 1962. Zvartʽnocʽi palatn u harakicʽ šenkʽerə (Zvartnots’ palace and adjacent buildings). THG 12: 41-60.
Hasratyan, A. 2010. Aruči vałmiǰnadaryan čartarapetakan hamalirə (Early Medieval Architectural Complex of Aruch). Yerevan: HH GAA ‘Gitut‘yun’ hratarakčut‘yun/Publishing House ‘Gitutyun’, NAS RA (in Armenian).
Hasratyan, M. 2004. Haykakan čartarapetutʽyan patmutʽyun (History of Armenian Architecture), vol. 3. Yerevan: HH GAA ‘Gitut‘yun’ hratarakčut‘yun/Publishing House ‘Gitutyun’, NAS RA (in Armenian). Hovhannes Draskhanakerttsi 1996. Hovhannes Drasxanakertc‘u Hayocʽ patmutʽyunə (History of Armenians of the Catholicos Hovhannes of Draskhanakert), T‘argmanut‘yunǝ ev canot‘agrut‘yunnerǝ G.B. T‘osunyani (Translation and notes by G.B. Tosunyan). Yerevan: Erevani hamalsarani hratarakč‘ut‘yun/Yerevan University Press (in Armenian).
Kalantaryan, A., Karakhanyan, G., Melkonyan, H., Petrosyan, H., Hakobyan, N., Babayan, F., Zhamkochyan, A., Navsardyan, K., Hayrapetyan, A. 2009. Armenia in the Cultural Context of East and West. Ceramics and Glass (4th-14th centuries). Yerevan: Publishing House ‘Gitutyun’, NAS RA.
Kalantaryan, A., Ghafadaryan, K.K. 1990. Dvini vałmiǰnadaryan monumental čartarapetutʽyan žamanakagrutʽyan voroš harcʽer (Some issues on the chronology of the early medieval monumental architecture of Dvin). PBH 1(128): 139-151 (in Armenian). Karapetyan, S., Mahé, J.P. 2015. The Hoṙomos inscriptions, in: Vardanyan 2015: 361-493.
Kazaryan, A. 2018. On the character of the Medieval architecture on the example the ‘domed halls’ of Ani and vicinity of the 10th-11th centuries. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research 284: 363-366.
Kotanjyan, N. 2004. Monumental gełankarčʽutʽyunə IV-VII darerum (Monumental painting in 4th-7th centuries), in: Hasratyan 2004: 286-302 (in Armenian).
Marzullo, M. 2014. Archaeological surveys, excavations and findings, in: Casnati 2014: 117-125.
Matevosyan, K. 1987. Aruč (Aruch). Yerevan: Hayastan (in Armenian).
Matevosyan, K. 2010a. Dvin-Ani čanaparhi Aruč ev Tʽalin hangrvannerə (Aruch and Talin stations along Dvin-Ani road), in: Matevosyan 2010b: 236-255 (in Armenian).
Matevosyan, K. 2010b. Ani-Širaki patmut‘yan ēǰer (hodvacneri žołovacu) /(Pages from the History of Ani-Shirak (Collection of Articles)/). Yerevan: Hełinakayin hratarakut‘yun (in Armenian).
Matevosyan, K. 2020. Patmahnagitakan ditarkumner (Historical-Archaeological Observations). Yerevan: Mughni (in Armenian).
Matevosyan, R. 1978. Anin arkʽuni atʽoṙanist ev mayrakʽałakʽ (Ani – throne city and capital). LHG 5(425): 89-94 (in Armenian).
Mirijanyan, D., Alexanyan, T. 2014. Hnagitakan usumnasirutʽyunner Aruč hnavayrum (Archaeological investigations at the site of Aruch). Journal of Armenian Studies 2-3: 127-143 (in Armenian).
Movses Kaghankatvatsi 1969. Ałvanicʽ ašxarhi patmutʽyun (The History of the Land of Aluank). Translation, preface and notes by V. Arakelyan. Yerevan: Hayastan (in Armenian).
NAA (National Archive of Armenia) 1063.1.1349. H. Yełiazaryani zekucʽagirə Aštaraki šrǰanum 1946 tʽ. katarac hnagitakan hetazotutʽyunneri ardyunkʽneri masin (Report of H. Yeghiazaryan on the results of archaeological surveys in Ashtarak region carried out in 1946), Yerevan (in Armenian).
NAA 1063.1.1350. Nyutʽer (hašvetvutʽyun, oragir, gcagrer ev ayln) Aštaraki šrǰani Tʽališi Mamikonyanneri palati 1947 tʽ. pełumneri masin (Materials (report, diary, drawings etc.) on the 1947 excavations of Mamikonians’ palace of Talish in Ashtarak region), Yerevan (in Armenian).
NAA 1063.1.1353. Nyutʽer (zekucʽagir, oragir, cucakner, akter) Aštaraki šrǰani Tʽališi Mamikonyanneri palati 1951 tʽ. pełumneri masin (Materials (report, diary, lists, acts) on the 1951 excavations of Mamikonians’ palace of Talish in Ashtarak region), Yerevan (in Armenian).
NAA 1063.1.1354. Nyutʽer (zekucʽagir, oragir, cucanak) Aštaraki šrǰani Tʽališ gyułum gtnvoł Grigor Mamikonyan išxani palati averakneri 1952 tʽ. makʽrman ašxatankʽneri naxnakan ardyunkʽneri masin (Materials (report, diary, signboard) on the preliminary results of 1952 cleaning works of ruins of Grigor Mamikonian’ palace located in Talish village in Ashtarak region), Yerevan (in Armenian).
NAA 1063.1.1355. H. Yeghiazaryani zekucʽagirə Aštaraki šrǰani Tʽališ gyułum, Hayastani kaṙavaričʽ Grigor Mamikonyan išxani kołmicʽ VII darum kaṙucʽvac palati averakneri mnacʽordneri 1953 tʽ. makʽrman ašxatankʽneri naxnakan ardyunkʽneri masin (Report of H. Yeghiazaryan on the preliminary results of 1953 cleaning works of remains of ruins of the palace built in 7th century by the governor of Armenia Grigor Mamikonian located in Talish village in Ashtarak region), Yerevan (in Armenian).
NAA 1063.3.82. Aruči dambaranadašti pełumneri hašvetvutʽyun (Report of the excavations of Aruch cemetery), Yerevan, 1990.
Orbeli, H. 1966. Divan hay vimagrutʽyan. Ani kʽałakʽ (Corpus inscriptionum armenicarum. City of Ani), liber 1, Yerevan: Haykakan SSH GA hratarakč‘ut‘yun/Publishing House of the Academy of Sciences of the Armenian SSR (in Armenian).
Sadoyan, B. 1985. Aruči vał minǰadaryan hušarjannerə (Early medieval monuments of Aruch). PBH 4 (111): 162-173 (in Armenian).
Sargsyan, G.M. 2007. Aruči baziliki hnagitakan hetazotutʽyunə (The archaeological investigation of the Aruch basilica), ‘Armenian Art’ Cultural Magazine 1: 34-37 (in Armenian).
Schmid, E. 1972. Atlas of Animal Bones: For Prehistorians, Archaeologists and Quaternary Geologists. Amsterdam – London – New York: Elsevier.
Shahinyan, A. 1971. Aruči VII d. tačari šinararakan arjanagrutʽyan vercanman aṙtʽiv (On the deciphering of the construction inscription of 7th century Cathedral of Aruch). LHG 1(337): 78-84 (in Armenian).
Shahkhatunyants, H. 2014. Storagrutʽyun katołike Eǰmiacni ev hing gavaṙacʽ Araratay (Subscription of the Cathedral of Etchmiadzin and the Five Regions of the Ayrarat Province). Etchmiadzin: Mayr At‘oṙ Surb Eǰmiacin hratarakč‘ut‘yun (in Armenian).
Shahnazaryan, A․, Torosyan, V., Bartikyan, H., Grigoryan, G., Khachatryan, K., Vardanyan, V., Ter-Ghevondyan, V. (eds) 2014. Hayoc‘ patmut‘yun: Miǰin darer (IV dar – XVII dari aṙaǰin kes), Girk‘ aṙaǰin (IV dari skizb – IX dari aṙaǰin kes) /(History of Armenia: The Middle Ages (4th century – fist half of the 17th century), Book I (beginning of the 4th century – mid-9th century)/). Yerevan: ‘Zangak’ hratarakč‘ut‘yun (in Armenian)․
Strzygowski, J. 1918. Die Baukunst Der Armenier und Europa. Wien: Kunstverlag Anton & Co. Ter-Ghevondyan, A., Ter-Ghevondyan, V., Danielyan, E. 2018. Hayastanə VII d. 40-90-akan tʽtʽ. (Armenia in the 40-90s of the 7th century), in: Shahnazaryan et al. 2018: 274-294 (in Armenian).
Tokarskiy, N. 1961. Arxitektura Armenii v. IV-VII vv. (Architecture of Armenia in the 4th-7th cc.). Yerevan: ArmGosIzdat (in Russian).
Toumanyan, G. 2005. Aruči dambanadašti ušbronzedaryan N 5 dambaranə (Tʽałman cesə meknabanelu pʽorj) /(The Late Bronze Age tomb no. 5 of the Aruch cemetery: An attempt to interpret the funerary rite). PBH 3(170): 160-172 (in Armenian).
Toumanyan, G. 2009. Aruči dambanadašti N 7 ev N 9 dambanatʽmberi ev tʽałman cesin aṙnčʽvoł voroš harcʽeri šurǰ (On no. 7 and no. 9 burial mounds of Aruch cemetery and some issues related to funerary rites). PBH 2-3(181-182): 234-248 (in Armenian).
Vardanyan, E. (ed.) 2015. Hoṙomos Monastery: Art and History (Collège de France – CNRS, Centre de recherche d’histoire et civilisation de Byzance, Monographies 50). Paris: ACHCByz.
Yeghiazaryan, H. 1955. Grigor Mamikonyan išxani kaṙucʽac tačarə ev palatə Tʽališ gyułum ev verǰinis hnagitakan pełumnerə (The Cathedral and palace built by Prince Grigor Mamikonian in the village of Talish and the latter’s archaeological excavations). Ejmiadzin 2: 35-41 (in Armenian).
Yeghishe 1958. Vardanancʽ patmutʽyunə (History of Vardans). Translation and notes by E. Ter-Minasyan. Yerevan: HayPetHrat (in Armenian).
Zulalyan, M. 1990. Hay žołovrdi XIII-XVIII dd. patmutʽyan harcʽerə əst Evropac‘i hełinakneri (Issues of the 13th- 18th Centuries History of the Armenian People according to the European Authors), hator/vol. 1: K‘ałak‘akan patmut‘yun (Political History). Yerevan: HH GA hratarakč‘ut‘yun/Publishing House of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (in Armenian).
