Erebuni

Name: Erebuni
Monument type: Fortress
Region: Yerevan
Periods: Urartian

Name: Erebuni

Other nomination: Arin-Berd (Arin Fortress)

Monument type: Fortress

Region: Yerevan

Community: Yerevan

Residence: Yerevan

Location: Erebuni is located in the south-eastern outskirts of Yerevan, between Nor Aresh and Vardashen districts. This settlement was built in 782 BC by one of the powerful kings of the Urartian kingdom, Argishti I.

Preservation: As early as the beginning of the 20th century, the south-eastern part of the Arin-berd hill was partially used as a quarry. Most likely, the explosions have damaged the southern walls of the Erebuni fortress. The south-western ramparts of the Erebuni fortress, the stone walls of the so-called temple of Khaldi god, the adjoining Urartian street, the steps south of the pottery hall N 15, the facade of the Susi temple, the walls south of the castle entrance with their brick courses are quite well preserved. The outer settlement of Erebuni was located on the ridge located south-east of the Arin-berd hill. Mainly the single-walled dwellings have been preserved here. In 1968 and in the 1980s the monument underwent reconstructions. In this regard, the northern, southern and western ramparts of the castle, a number of structures inside the castle, such as the Susi temple dedicated to god Iubsha, were rebuilt.

Coordinates: 40° 8′ 26.16″ N, 44° 32′ 17.16″ E

Altitude: 1017 m

Era and chronology: The monument dates back to the VIII – at least I centuries BC.

Erebuni: Where the Written Story of Armenia’s Capital Begins

As you step onto the hallowed grounds of Erebuni, you are instantly transported back in time, where you can hear the echoes of ancient grandeur that defined Armenia’s historical capital, Yerevan. Erebuni is where the written history of this vibrant city begins, offering a captivating portal to the past. This ancient fortress-town, located in the southeastern outskirts of modern-day Yerevan, stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of a bygone era, a place where the written history of Yerevan’s capital was etched into the annals of time.

Erebuni’s significance stretches far beyond its historical walls; it embodies the soul of Armenia’s capital city, bearing witness to the transformations of a region that has seen countless empires rise and fall. It is a place where the past comes to life, speaking to you through every stone, inscription, and architectural wonder.

Here, the grandeur of an ancient capital is vividly written in the very fabric of the site, and the echoes of its rich history can still be heard.

Erebuni, also known as Arin-Berd or Arin Fortress, stands as a testament to the beginnings of written history in the heart of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Nestled in the southeastern outskirts of modern Yerevan, between the districts of Nor Aresh and Vardashen, this ancient town-fortress, founded in 782 BC by King Argishti I of the Urartian kingdom, holds a profound significance in the annals of Armenian heritage.

Erebuni, at an elevation of 1017 meters, was strategically positioned, playing a pivotal role in the Urartian fortress system that safeguarded the pathways leading to the fertile Ararat valley and beyond. The town-fortress boasted a multifaceted structure, dividing its territory into distinct segments: religious, administrative, and economic.

One of the most striking features of Erebuni is its remarkable preservation, despite enduring significant challenges over the years. The 20th century saw the southeastern part of the Arin-Berd hill repurposed as a quarry, a development that, most likely, resulted in damage to the southern walls of the fortress. However, the south-western ramparts, the temple dedicated to the god Khaldi, the Urartian street, and various other structures remain admirably intact.

As you traverse the archaeological landscape of Erebuni, you’ll encounter not only the physical remnants of this ancient site but also a rich tapestry of history. Cuneiform inscriptions, often referred to as the stone passports of Yerevan, have been unearthed here, bearing witness to the city’s past. These inscriptions provide essential insights into the early history of the region.

Throughout its existence, Erebuni saw multiple phases of construction, as well as a series of transformations and reconstructions. Argishti’s son, Sarduri, contributed to the growth of the monument during his reign. The site also experienced life beyond the Urartian era, with evidence pointing to its use in the post-Urartian period and potentially even during the Achaemenid Empire’s rule.

Among the treasures found within Erebuni, the discovery of three silver antler cups and another cup dating from the 5th to 4th centuries BC stands as a brilliant example of ancient Armenian silversmithing. These remarkable artifacts reflect the craftsmanship and artistic prowess of this ancient civilization.

In recent years, renewed archaeological expeditions have further enriched our understanding of Erebuni. New structures have been revealed, additional archaeological layers have been uncovered, and earlier assumptions and dating have been refined. The discovery of the Urartian street of the Khaldi god complex, marked by signs of a formidable earthquake in the first half of the 7th century BC, is a notable find.

Erebuni continues to captivate both scholars and the local population, offering new perspectives and uncovering hidden gems. The 2010 geomagnetic research conducted by the German expert Y. Fassbinder unearthed a massive subterranean structure southwest of the Arin-Berd hill, hinting at the presence of uncharted treasures beneath the surface.

Furthermore, modern technology has played a pivotal role in unraveling Erebuni’s secrets. In 2019, lidar scanners, sponsored by the French Embassy to Armenia, were employed to study the monument in greater detail. This advanced technique has shed light on the extent of the site, providing a broader perspective on the architectural layout and organization of the fortress.

Erebuni’s stratigraphy reveals the passage of time through various phases, extending from its foundation in 782 BC and into the post-Urartian-Yervandian period, the late stages of which may have seen it serve as a satrapy center of the Achaemenid Empire. Erebuni’s history persisted until at least the 1st century BC, as indicated by the presence of Miletian drams from the 5th to 4th centuries BC and a silver dram from the 1st century BC.

The architecture of Erebuni mirrors the classic Urartian style. The construction method featured foundation stones on which flat stones were laid to serve as the base for the rising brick walls. The walls were further reinforced with masonry, serving not only an aesthetic purpose but also a defensive one. Many structures within the fortress were adorned with decorative masonry, offering insight into the artistic sensibilities of the time.

As you explore Erebuni, you’ll come across a plethora of fascinating structural elements, including the temple of god Khaldi with its powerful foundation walls and unique niche, an unusual feature in Urartian architecture. The Urartian street, characterized by its pebble-adorned floor and drainage groove, provides an exceptional window into the past. Aqueduct and drainage systems, lined with basalt slabs, hint at the advanced engineering techniques of the time.

The fortress also features a myriad of cuneiform inscriptions on its walls, including those of King Argishti I and his successors, which detail the construction and purposes of various structures within the site. In the post-Urartian period, Erebuni saw significant changes in its organization. The presentation hall, with its 30 columns, was created, while the Susi temple was closed. The hewn stones of the walls, originally part of an important Urartian structure, were reused during the construction of the colonnaded hall.

Beyond its architectural marvels, Erebuni also holds an air of mystery and spirituality. In the upper part of the southwestern corner of the colonnaded hall, mysterious marks have appeared on the wall, believed by many, especially the local population, to resemble an image of the Virgin Mary. This spiritual connection adds another layer of wonder and intrigue to the already enigmatic Erebuni.

Erebuni’s significance in Armenian history cannot be overstated. It is a place where the written history of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, began. From its earliest days in the Urartian kingdom to its later periods of use, Erebuni has left an indelible mark on the history and heritage of this ancient land. It is a site of wonder, whispers, and echoes of a bygone era, offering a glimpse into Armenia’s rich past and the enduring grandeur of a civilization that thrived on this very soil.

FACTS:

❈ Erebuni, also known as Arin-Berd or Arin Fortress, is an ancient town-fortress located in the southeastern outskirts of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.

❈ Founded in 782 BC by King Argishti I of the Urartian kingdom, Erebuni holds great significance in Armenian heritage and represents the beginnings of written history in Yerevan.

❈ Erebuni was strategically positioned at an elevation of 1017 meters, playing a pivotal role in the Urartian fortress system to protect pathways leading to the fertile Ararat valley.

❈ The town-fortress had distinct segments for religious, administrative, and economic purposes.

❈ Despite facing challenges such as quarrying in the 20th century, significant parts of Erebuni have been remarkably preserved, including cuneiform inscriptions often called the “stone passports of Yerevan.”

❈ Erebuni saw multiple phases of construction and life beyond the Urartian era, with evidence of use in the post-Urartian period and potentially under the Achaemenid Empire’s rule.

❈ Notable findings within Erebuni include silver antler cups dating from the 5th to 4th centuries BC, showcasing ancient Armenian silversmithing.

❈ Recent archaeological expeditions have uncovered new structures, layers, and refined dating, revealing a subterranean structure beneath the Arin-Berd hill.

❈ Modern technology, such as lidar scanning, has provided a broader perspective on Erebuni’s architectural layout and organization.

❈ Erebuni’s architecture reflects classic Urartian style, featuring foundation stones, flat stones for walls, and decorative masonry.

❈ The site includes fascinating structural elements like the temple of god Khaldi, the Urartian street, aqueduct and drainage systems, and various cuneiform
inscriptions.

❈ Erebuni also holds spiritual significance, with mysterious marks resembling the image of the Virgin Mary in the upper part of the colonnaded hall.

❈ Erebuni’s historical significance in Armenian history is immense, marking the beginning of written history in Yerevan and offering a glimpse into Armenia’s rich past and the enduring grandeur of its civilization.

🔍 Research history

Papak Ter-Avetisov, a resident of Nork village, found a basalt cuneiform inscription at the foot of the Arin-berd hill in 1879, sold to the famous Russian archaeologist A. Ivanovsky in 1894. The inscription is deciphered and published by the famous Russian researcher M. Nikolsky. Ivanovsky carried out the first local mining of the Arin-berd Hill. Archaeological exploration studies were carried out in the area of the Arin-berd hill by the Karmir Blur archaeological expedition team in 1947-1948. Periodic monumental excavations began in 1950 under the leadership of the famous architect Konstantin Hovhannisyan. During the Soviet years, the excavations of Erebuni continued until 1975. The archaeological team of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts also joined the excavations in 1952. During the history of independent Armenia, the new phase of the Erebuni research begins in 1998 with Felix Ter-Martirosov’s excavations. Excavations were carried out here in 2007-2010 by the Armenian-American archaeological expedition, led by F. Ter-Martirosov, A. Filiposyan and D. Stronach. Excavations were carried out in 2010 on the ridge south-east of the Arin-Berd Hill by the Armenian expedition under A. Philiposyan’s leadership. The same expedition initiated excavations on the north-western slope of the Arin-berd Hill in 2011.

The Armenian “Erebuni” HAMR expedition, under the leadership of M. Badalyan, conducted excavations again in the Erebuni pottery hall N15 in 2016-2018. The joint Armenian-French archaeological expedition (co-leaders: M. Badalyan and S. Deschamps) have been carrying out excavations in the ancient site of Erebuni since 2008. In the very first year of the Soviet period excavations, an Urartian cuneiform inscription was found (later three more inscriptions with similar content were found), where King Argishti informs about founding a city and naming it Er(e)buni. That inscription is considered the birth certificate of Yerevan, the capital of the Republic of Armenia. It is not hard to agree that the name of Yerevan originates from Erebuni itself. Famous cuneiform expert M. Israelian has his great contribution in the Erebuni monument research.

🧱 Archaeological description

Location
The castle had a convenient strategic location and played an important role in the system of Urartian fortresses leading to the Ararat valley and from here to the Sevan basin. According to accepted opinions, the territory of the castle, corresponding to the Arin-berd Hill, can be conventionally divided into three parts: religious, administrative or palatial and economic. The main religious structure is the complex dedicated to god Khaldi, the administrative part is the Susi temple dedicated to god Iubsha (probably Iuarsha), and the pottery hall occupies a special place in the economic part. The three magnificent silver antler cups and a cup (5-4th centuries BC) found near Erebuni are among the treasures and brilliant examples of silversmithing of ancient Armenia and the region.

Over the past 20 years, Erebuni research has entered a new phase. Armenian, Armenian-American and Armenian-French expeditions carried out excavations in the ancient site. New structures were revealed, new archaeological layers were discovered, previous statements and dates were revised, and new ones were put forward. Moreover, the excavations were carried out both in and outside the castle, in different parts of the ridge located in the north-west and south-east of the Arin-berd hill. The discovery of the luxurious Urartian street of Khaldi god complex is memorable among the recent discoveries. Traces of a strong earthquake are noticeable in this section: according to the stratigraphic observations it can be attributed to the first half of the VII century BC.

A famous German expert, Y. Fassbinder conducted geomagnetic researches on the ridge south-west of the Arin-Berd hill in 2010. It was found out that a structure with large rooms with about 120 m length and 60 m width, exists in the subsoil.

The monument study was carried out by lidar scanners in 2019 due to the financial assistance of the French Embassy to the RA.

Stratigraphy
The stratigraphy of Erebuni can be divided into several stages. The earliest phase known to us, should be attributed to about 782 BC, to the foundation of the castle by King Argishti. Reconstructions took place in the monument area during the reign of Argishti’s son, Sarduri.

Research shows that life in Erebuni continued even in the post-Urartian-Yervandian period (end of the 7th century BC – first half of the 6th century BC). For example, the construction of the pillared hall of Erebuni should be attributed to that period. There is an opinion that Erebuni was one of the XVIII century satrapy centers of the Achaemenid Empire. Life in Erebuni continued at least until I century BC. This is evidenced by the Miletian drams (5th-4th centuries BC) and the silver dram of the Augustus-Octavian emperor of Rome (1st century BC).

Medieval period findings, such as pottery, tuff pipes were also found in Erebuni.

Architecture
The ancient site of Erebuni was built in the style of classical Urartian settlements. The foundation stones were placed on the castle foundation stone, then flat stones were placed on top of the wall, served as the basis for the rising brick walls. The fences were reinforced with masonry, which, in addition to aesthetic significance, also had defensive and seismic one. Walls of a number of castle structures were decorated with masonry.

The so-called temple of god Khaldi with its powerful foundation walls and corner masonry has its unique place. On the western wall of the temple, to the left of the entrance, a niche with red clay color was opened. This is still an exceptional phenomenon in the Urartian architecture. Probably, this niche had ritual significance.

One of the important structures is the Urartian street next to the temple of god Khaldi, which has a floor decorated with pebbles, with its elongated drainage groove.

Aqueduct or drainage systems consisting of basalt slabs bordered horizontally and then orthostatically on both sides were opened in Erebuni, in the area of the pillared hall and to the south and south-west of the temple of god Khaldi. Then these systems were covered with slabs.

Tiled floors were opened in the areas in front of the Erebuni Iubsha god temple, pillared hall, the Urartian street, and the courtyard from the castle entrance. There were cuneiform inscriptions on the walls of the important structures of the castle.

The organization of the Erebuni territory changes in the post-Urartian period. A presentation hall consisting of 30 columns is created, the Susi temple is closed. The hewn stones of the walls bordering the pillared hall are surprising. At the initial stage, they were part of an important Urartian structure, and during the construction of the colonnaded hall they underwent secondary use.

The structures with a square plan, probably a phenomenon of the late stages, located in the middle of the so-called temple of Khaldi god and in the middle of the structure located to the left of the entrance of the palace section, can be considered an interesting aspect. In the outer settlement, semi-cyclopean structures, as well as medium and small-sized basalt, tuff and river stone two-row, single-row walled structures were mainly recorded. Most of them had clay floors.

🔨 Findings

Erebuni is one of the unique Urartian monuments, where many (23) monumental cuneiform inscriptions were found, testifying to the construction of a fortress, a temple, a palace, granaries and other structures. They belonged to Argishti I, his son Sarduri II and Rusa Erimenayordi. Jars, weapons, seals and other valuable findings were also discovered in Erebuni. The fresco fragments depicting religious and secular scenes are uniquely preserved to the archeology and art of Urartu. The magnificent silver antler bowls found near the Erebuni castle amaze with their craftsmanship. The bisexual statuette, the two-sided colored jar, the jug of god Bes, the metal statuette with a bird sculpture, many stamped pottery, inscribed jars, etc are among the important findings.

🌍 Significance

Erebuni is the monument where the written history of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, begins. Cuneiform inscriptions, which are considered the stone passports of the capital city of Yerevan, were found here. Erebuni is also very important because structures and layers of the post-Urartian period were documented here. It has its unique place and significance in the Middle East monument map.

📜 Traditional legends

In the upper part of the south-western corner of the colonnaded hall of the castle, marks have appeared on the wall after heavy rain. Many people, especially the locals, believe that it is the image of Virgin Mary: they visit here from time to time and light candles.

📚 Sources

Literature

Badalyan M. 2013, About the issues of the Susi temple in Erebuni, “Issues of preservation of historical and cultural heritage”, Proceedings of the international conference, September 25-September 27, Yerevan, p. 8-9.
Badalyan M. 2020, from Erebuni to Karmir Blur. Some observations on the reasons for the construction of the city of Teishebaini, Countries and Peoples of the Near and Middle East, XXXIII (I), Yerevan, p. 131-140.
Filiposyan A, Badalyan M., Zakyan A., Zakyan T., Tumanyan G. 2013, “Erebuni fortress city 2007-2011 preliminary excavation results. Proceedings of the international conference “Issues of Preservation of Historical and Cultural Heritage”, Yerevan, p. 26-27.
Israelyan M. 1971 History of the fortress-city of Erebuni (according to documentary and archaeological data), Yerevan, “Hayastan” Publishing House, 200 pages.
Hovhannisyan K. 1973 Mural paintings of Erebuni, Yerevan, Armenian SSR Academy of Sciences publishing house, 83 pages + 58 tables.
Hovhannisyan K. 1961: Arin-Berd I. Architecture of Erebuni, Yerevan, Publishing House of the Academy of Sciences of the Armenian SSR, 116 p.
Hovhannisyan K. 1980: Erebuni Fortress, Yerevan, Hayastan Publishing House, 144p.
Ter-Martirosov F. 2005, Excavations on the northern slope of the Erebuni fortress, Culture of ancient Armenia, XIII, Yerevan, 2005, p. 148-149:
Khodzhash S., Trukhtanova N., Oganesyan K. 1979: Erebuni, Moscow, Art, 167p.
Badalyan M. 2021, Erebuni. Alle origini dell’ Armenia, Archaeologia Viva, N 207, Maggio/Giugno, Roma, pp. 52-65.
Badalyan M. 2021, 2014-2019 Archaeological Excavations at Erebuni fortress, 12th ICANE International Congress on the Archaeology of the Ancient Near East, Bologna, 6-9, Abstract book. Papers and Posters, pp. 28.
Dan, R. 2017. A New Interpretation of the ‘External Portico’ of Arin-berd/Erebuni, Armenia. Ash-sharq 1/2: 211–223.
Dan R., la Farina R. 2011: Arin-Berd: An Iron Age fortress in the Arase valley, Bulletin of the Union of History and Art, 227-239.
Deschamps S., Fichet de Clairfontaine F., Stronach D. 2011: Erebuni. The Environs of the Temple of Haldi during the 7th and 6th Centuries B. C. , Aramazd: Armenian Journal of Near Eastern Studies. V/2, 121-140.
Deschamps, S. 2016. Erebuni in the context of Urartean fortresses in the Ararat plain: sources and problems, Actes du colloque international LIA de Lyon (28 et 29 novembre 2013). Quaternary International 395: 208–215.
Deschamps S., Fichet de Clairfontaine F., Helly B., Rideaud R., Badalyan M., Avagyan A. 2022, Identification and characterization of seismic phenomena: the Urartian fortress of Erebuni during the first quarter of the 7th century BC. J.-C. Armenié, Living with Seismic Phenomena in the Mediterranean Beyond Antiquity and the Middle Ages (edited by Rita Compatangelo-Soussignan, Francesca Diosono, Frédéric le Blay), Archaeopress Archaeology, ISBN 978-1-80327-235-1, p.p. , 301-316.
Fichet de Clairfontaine, F. and S. Deschamps 2012. Urartian and post-Urartian ceramics from the Haldi temple sector of the Erebuni fortress (mid-7th – early 6th century BC). Aramazd: Armenian Journal of Near Eastern Studies 7/1: 105–143.
Stronach, D., Thrane, H., Goff, C., Farahani, A. With a contribution by Grekyan Y. 2010: Erebuni 2008-2010, in Kosyan, A, Petrosyan, A., Grekyan, Y (eds.), Urartu and Its Neighbors. Festschrift in Honor of Nicolay Harutyunyan in Occasion of His 90th Birthday (Yerevan), Aramazd: Armenian Journal of Near Eastern Studies. V/1, 99-133.

🕰️ Archive

Archive of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of the Republic of Armenia, archive of the History Museum of Armenia, archive of “Erebuni” National Academy of Sciences, archive of the State Hermitage of Saint Petersburg, archive of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts.