Metsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion — Southern Extension
Early Bronze Age (3500-2500 BCE)·Early Bronze Age Kura-Araxes·🇦🇲 Armavir Province, Armenia
About
About Metsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion — Southern Extension
Metsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion — Southern Extension 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 5 × 4 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 40.1219N 44.1792E 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
- 01Nature of burial rites and population
- 02Landscape function
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 — Southern Extension main structure
c. 1178 CE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Metsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion — Southern Extension
19th–20th century
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Metsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion — Southern Extension) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
40.1219° N · 44.1792° E · 870 m · 4 mapped features
Metsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion — Southern Extension — Main Ancient-City Feature
hydraulicPrimary hydraulic at Metsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion — Southern Extension — central chambered cairn with stratified deposits
40.1225° N · 44.1811° EMetsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion — Southern Extension — Secondary Enclosure
necropolisAncillary necropolis at Metsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion — Southern Extension — central chambered cairn with stratified deposits
40.1203° N · 44.1799° EMetsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion — Southern Extension — Outlier Rock Art Panel
templeOutlier temple panel linked to Metsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion — Southern Extension ceremonial landscape
40.1224° N · 44.1807° EMetsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion — Southern Extension — Hydraulic/Cistern Annex
chamberHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir at Metsamor Fortress Citadel North Bastion — Southern Extension with plastered basin
40.1210° N · 44.1789° E