Metsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion
Early Bronze Age (3500-2500 BCE)·Early Bronze Age Kura-Araxes·🇦🇲 Armavir Province, Armenia
About
About Metsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion
Metsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion in Armavir Province, Armenia is a Early Bronze Age (3500-2500 BCE) ancient city attributed to Early Bronze Age Kura-Araxes. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal platform 12 × 2 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 40.1310N 44.1747E controls access to Armavir Province resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient-city for Armavir Province, illustrating Early Bronze Age Kura-Araxes construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Construction labor organization
- 02Chronology and phasing
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 3200 BCE
- Period
- Early Bronze Age (3500-2500 BCE)
- Culture
- Early Bronze Age Kura-Araxes
- Purpose
- Fortified settlement and ceremonial centre controlling regional exchange
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 3200 BCE
Initial construction of Metsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion main structure
c. 1113 BCE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Metsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion
19th–20th century
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Metsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
40.1310° N · 44.1747° E · 894 m · 3 mapped features
- Metsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion — Main Ancient-City FeatureenclosurePrimary enclosure at Metsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion — central chambered cairn with stratified deposits40.1326° N · 44.1747° E
- Metsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion — Secondary Enclosurerock artAncillary rock art at Metsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion — rock-cut facade with stratified deposits40.1302° N · 44.1734° E
- Metsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion — Outlier Rock Art PanelhydraulicOutlier hydraulic panel linked to Metsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion ceremonial landscape40.1301° N · 44.1751° E
Gallery