Aghtamir

Name: Aghtamir
Monument type: Fortress
Region: Aragatsotn Province
Periods: Prehistoric

Name: Aghtamir

Other nomination: Aghtamur, Tamir

Monument type: Aghtamir Castle, Aghtamir city center, burial ground, cave-dwelling complex, Vishapakar

Region: Aragatsotn

Community: Voskevaz

Residence: Voskevaz

Location: The monument is located 2.5 km south of the village of Voskevaz, on the right, elevated bank of the Kasakh River.

Preservation: The castle is tumble down, it was subjected to multiple constructions in different eras. Because of the medieval settlement in the town, the structures of the early stages are damaged.

Coordinates: 40.25395, 44.28522

Altitude: 1008 m

Era and chronology: The ancient site is multi-layered. As a result of exploratory and archaeological works, the area settlement stages were revealed. The earliest refers to the stages of producing economy formation (New Stone Age, Copper stone Age) (VIII-VI millennia BC). Early Bronze Age (IV-III millennia BC), Middle Bronze Age (XX-XVI centuries BC), Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages (XIV-IX centuries BC) are included in the cultural layer of the ancient site. Urartu is presented in Aghtamir with the cultural layer of the VIII-VI centuries BC. The presence of different post-Urartian, ancient and medieval periods in Aghtamir, is evidenced both in the form of aerial pottery objects and by buildings.

Aghtamir: A Multilayered Tale That Unravels Through Time

As you stand amidst the scattered fragments of historical gems, remaining stones, and still-standing walls of ancient structures in this multi-layered historical site, you can’t help but feel a profound connection to Aghtamir’s history.

Aghtamir offers you a chance to connect with the ghosts of civilizations past and an opportunity to contemplate the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

This is a place where history’s whispers are still carried by the wind, and where the stones themselves seem to tell the most exquisite stories of ages long gone, if only you are willing to lend a listening ear.

Nestled in the picturesque Aragatsotn province of Armenia, the ancient monument of Aghtamir stands as a testament to the rich tapestry of history that has unfolded on its hallowed grounds. Known by various names, including Aghtamur and Tamir, this site boasts a captivating blend of cultural layers, revealing the footsteps of countless civilizations that have called it home over millennia.

Exploratory and archaeological endeavors have unveiled its remarkable past, dating back to the New Stone Age and the Copper Stone Age, around the VIII-VI millennia BC. As you delve deeper into its chronicles, you encounter the Early Bronze Age, Middle Bronze Age, Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages, all interwoven into the cultural fabric of this ancient site. The era of Urartu, a significant civilization, leaves its indelible mark here, with remnants from the VIII-VI centuries BC.

Furthermore, different post-Urartian, ancient, and medieval periods are evident in the form of aerial pottery objects and architectural remnants. Its significance on a national scale is undeniable, as it occupies a unique place among the prehistoric fortress-settlements in the foothills of the Ararat valley, a site that has evolved and been reused during the Urartian era.

The monument stretches along the edge of a vast promontory, covering an expansive area of 90 hectares. However, the northern and western boundaries are somewhat blurred due to the effects of time and erosion. An area of 5-6 hectares is adorned with pottery samples from the Early Bronze Age, serving as silent witnesses to the region’s ancient heritage.

The citadel, with its imposing dimensions of 155 meters in length and 135 meters in width, tells a story of burial places within its walls and a burial ground to the northwest. To the west, a series of fence chains, fortified by skilled masons, dates back to the Urartian period, standing as a testament to ancient craftsmanship.

Aghtamir Castle, the jewel of this archaeological wonder, once stood tall and proud, but the ravages of time and multiple constructions across different eras have left it in a state of enchanting decay. The medieval settlement within the town has added to the mystery, with the structures of its early stages bearing the scars of the ages.

One notable relic that stands apart is the basalt dragon stone, which was transported here from the slopes of Aragats. While it may not be directly related to Aghtamir’s ancient history, it adds a mystical aura to the site, evoking curiosity and wonder.

Aghtamir’s story continues into the early medieval period, marked by the fortress’s capture during the conquests of the Ararat valley and nearby foothills. Rather than destruction, it underwent transformation, with the citadel being reinforced with formidable walls. The castle, in its modified form, played a role in the Didi Kond economic zone of Oshakan.

Later chapters of Aghtamir’s history are marked by the post-Urartian period in the VI-IV centuries BC, as well as reconstructions in the Hellenistic era. The medieval period is reflected in the residential buildings with rectangular plans, adorned with small stones and distinctive tombstones bearing scenes of feasts.

A treasure trove of artifacts has been unearthed at Aghtamir, from pottery fragments, clay and stone wells, and agricultural stone tools to bronze and iron weapons, decorative items, and stone idols. Among these treasures, an arrow, a dagger, the sheath of the dagger, and a belt with a bronze figure stand out, offering glimpses into the craftsmanship and daily life of bygone eras.

In the Early Iron Age burial ground, archaeologists have unearthed stone box and earthen tombs, oriented north-south and covered with tufa slabs, enclosed by river stones or tuff walls. The diversity of monuments within the cemetery is astonishing, from anthropomorphic to phallus-type, each shedding light on different aspects of life and culture in ancient Aghtamir.

Yet, Aghtamir’s allure extends beyond its archaeological wonders. It carries with it a captivating legend of resilience and defiance, where an old woman’s clever use of a sieve during a siege caught the attention of the infamous Timur Lenk. The subsequent tale of tragedy and destruction left an indelible mark on the village, forever etching the name Akhtamir into the memory of its people.

FACTS

❈ Aghtamir, in the Aragatsotn province of Armenia, is a rich tapestry of history spanning millennia.

❈ It reveals cultural layers from the New Stone Age to the Early Iron Age, with significant Urartian remnants from the VIII-VI centuries BC.

❈ The monument covers 90 hectares, with a citadel, burial grounds, and an impressive series of Urartian fence chains.

❈ Aghtamir Castle, though in a state of enchanting decay, has witnessed multiple constructions across different eras.

❈ It is a treasure trove of artifacts, including pottery, stone tools, weapons, decorative items, and stone idols, offering insights into ancient life and culture. The site is
also steeped in a legend of resilience and defiance during a siege by Timur Lenk.

Research history

The preliminary explorations in the ancient site were conducted by T. Toramanian, E. Baiburdyan, H. Martirosyan, Gr. Areshyan.

In the 1920s, A. Kalantar visited Akhtamir mentioning the main phases of the monument settlement while describing it.

Exploratory excavations were carried out in Akhtamir by E. Khanzadyan in 1973.

The Armenian-Belgian joint expedition (leaders: H. Simon-yan, H. Gash) carried out regular archaeological researches in the ancient site in 1993-1995. A total area of 1950 m2 was excavated in Aghtamir in 1993-1995: two sites in the middle citadel (500 and 1000 m2), and another one near the 4th wall from the citadel (450 m2). In the first site of the citadel, a 15-50 cm thick layer was opened, while in the second site, the thickness of the layer reached 3 meters.

Archaeological description

The monument located on the edge of a vast promontory, occupies a total area of 90 ha, but the northern and western borders of the complex are not distinct because of the damaged wall of the initial state of the area. The area where the Early Bronze Age pottery samples are scattered, occupies 5-6 hectares. The fact that the castle was founded in the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages is confirmed by the excavations of the citadel (occupying an area of 85,000 m2) by the north-western wall buildings. The citadel is a structure of 155 m length and 135 m width, with the burial place within its perimeter, and the burial ground to its north-west. To the west of the citadel, in the north-southern direction, there are several series of fence chains, repaired in later centuries, and the fence fortified by powerful masons was built already in the Urartian period.

In the Early Iron Age burial ground, stone box or earthen tombs were found, oriented north-south and covered with tufa slabs, surrounded by river stone or tuff walls. Different types of monuments were recorded in the cemetery: anthropomorphic, phallus-type.

North-east of the castle, the basalt dragon stone placed in a concrete plinth was brought here in 1977-1978 from the slopes of Aragats (Prospect 5) and has nothing in common with the Aghtamir ancient site.

During the conquests of the Ararat valley and the adjacent foothills, the early medieval fortress of Aghtamir was also not left out of Urartu’s attention of. After capturing the fortress, it was not destroyed, but underwent some changes: the citadel was surrounded by walls reinforced with strong fortifications. The castle continued its activities in this form, being included in the Didi Kond economic zone of Oshakan.

The next stage of the settlement refers to the post-Urartian period, VI-IV centuries BC, represented by stratigraphically and complexly dated potteries.

The fourth chain of the walls, built in the Early Iron Age, underwent reconstructions in the Hellenistic period. The pottery burials made in the wall refer to that period.

The medieval period is attributed to the residential buildings with a rectangular plan lined with small stones, cradle-shaped and flat tombstones, with feast scenes sometimes found on them.

🔨 Findings

In the ancient site of Aghtamir, various fragments of pottery objects (pots, jars, jugs, jugs, etc.), clay and stone economic and wine wells, agricultural stone tools, etc. were found during the aerial and ground excavations. Pottery objects, bronze and iron weapons, decorative items, stone idols were found from the tomb. The arrow, the dagger, the sheath of the dagger and the belt with the bronze figure are worth mentioning.

Significance

The monument is of republican significance. It occupies a special place among the prehistoric fortress-settlements of the foothills of the Ararat valley, modified and reused during the Urartian period.

📜 Traditional legends

Timur Lenk besieged the village for a long time, but could not capture it. An old woman used a sieve to sift out calx from the walls. Surprised that despite being under siege, villagers throw flour with garbage, Timur Lenk decided to capture and destroy the village putting the population to the sword. Because of the destructions and brutalities, the Akhtamir form of the settlement (Akh Tamir) was left in the memory of the people before the Sovietization of the country.

Sources

Literature

Khanalanyan A. 1969, Legends, Yerevan, 355 pages.
G. Areshyan, K. Ghafadaryan, H. Simonyan, G. Tiratsyan, A. Kalantaryan 1977, Archaeological research in the Ashtarak and Nayiri regions of the Armenian SSR, Journal of Social Sciences, No. 4, pp. 77-92.
H. Simonyan, H. Gash, A. Zhamkochian, R. Vardanyan, S. Hmayakyan, I. Karapetyan, P. Avetisyan 1996, Joint Armenian-Belgian excavations in Voskevaz, Republic of Armenia 1993-95. 10th scientific session dedicated to the archaeological research (Provisions of Reports), Yerevan, pp. 68-70.
H. Simonyan, 1998, Aghtamir in the Neolithic-Chalcolithic period, Culture of Ancient Armenia, XI, Republican Scientific Session, Proceedings, Yerevan, pp. 57-60.
I. Karapetyan, 2011, Urartian and Achaemenian period pottery of Akhtamir, Monument Yearbook, E., Yerevan, pp. 53-65.
A. Zhamkochian, 2018, Aghtamir (Voskevaz) the villager in the Middle Ages, “Armenia and Eastern Christian civilization. C”. Republican scientific conference dedicated to the 70th birthday of Armenian-Caucasian Pavel Chobanyan (1948-2017) (May 17-18, 2018). Reports and provisions of reports: Yerevan, 2018, pp. 73-84.
Gautier Ach., Vandenbruaene M. 1997, Prehistoric and Medival animal remains from the Akhtamir citadel, Armeinia: some first results, Archaeofauna 6, pp. 81-90.
Pons N. 2001, Les fouilles d’Akhtamir, Arménie (Fer Ancien), Akkadica, 122, pp.27-54.
Kalantar A. 1994, Armenia: From thé Stone Age to the Middle Ages. Selected Papers (= CPOA 2) (éd. par G. KARAKHANIAN), Neuchâtel, Paris.

List of monuments

2.87.1 – Voskevaz Castle
2.87.1.1. – Voskevaz City center
2.87.1.2. – cemetery field
2.87.1.4. – cave-dwelling complex
2.87.22 – altar
2.87.26 – vishapakar (dragon-stone)
2.87.27 – cave-dwelling