Preliminary report on the 2016 season in Metsamor (Armenia)
Journal Title: Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean - Year 2017, Vol 26, Issue 1
Abstract
Excavation in Metsamor in 2016 was focused on the settlement area as well as necropolis. Extended trenches uncovered a substantial part of the settlement and contributed new stratigraphic and chronological data on the three phases of occupation, especially the heavy fire that appears to have destroyed the buildings in the early 8th century BC. A unique find from this level of destruction was a necklace made of sardonyx, agate and gold beads. In the post-Urartian period, the northeastern part of the settlement was clearly rearranged. Exploration of a kurgan tomb in the cemetery showed that the tomb had been reused for the most recent burial, looted, which may have included a symbolic horse burial. The construction of the tomb, based on finds from a layer at the bottom of the burial chamber, which included several golden adornments and beads of different materials, can be dated to the Middle Bronze Age, the latest burials to the Iron I period.<br/><br/>
Authors and Affiliations
Krzysztof Jakubiak, Mateusz Iskra, Ashot Piliposyan, Artavazd Zakyan
Contents
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Clay funerary figurines from tombs MMA 1151 and MMA 1152 in Sheikh Abd el-Gurna
A significant number of clay ushebtis comes from two Middle Kingdom tombs MMA 1151 and 1152 investigated by a Polish team in Western Thebes. The funerary figurines belong to a later phase of tomb reuse in the first mille...
Remarkable botanical remains from a new foundation deposit in the Hathor shrine of Tuthmosis III at Deir el-Bahari
Numerous botanical remains have been found in a recently discovered foundation deposit of Tuthmosis III, in his Hathor shrine at Deir el-Bahari. Identification of 12 plants (cereals, fruits, branches and leaves) is propo...
Metsamor (Armenia) after five seasons of excavations
The Metsamor site in the 2017 season was excavated in two areas. The main area was the so-called town area where several dwellings from the Early Iron Age were cleared. Evidence of violent site destruction included two h...
A new double foundation deposit in the Hathor Shrine of Tuthmosis III at Deir el-Bahari
A double foundation deposit was found in the souteastern part of the Tuthmosis III Hathor shrine at Deir el-Bahari. The architectural features, a pit with a niche at the bottom, confirm the dating of both of these deposi...