Field Seasons

The archaeological investigations of Project ArAGATS have been ongoing since 1998.  Our work to date has focused on two major research phases:

Phase I (1998-2000): Regional Investigations, including systematic pedestrian survey, test exavations at major fortresses and cemeteries, and subsurface soundings guided by analysis of extant remotely sensed data.

Phase IIa (2002-2003): Intensive excavations at Tsaghkahovit Fortress coupled with expanded soundings at Gegharot.

Phase IIb (2005-2006): Intensive exacations at Gegharot Fortress joined by expanded investigations at Tsaghkahovit focused on the Late Bronze Age and Iron 3 period lower settlements at the base of the fortress hill.  The latter investigations were designed and directed by Ian Lindsay and Lori Khatchadourian respectively as the foci of their dissertation research.

Phase III (2008- ): The next phase of our investigations will concentrate on dramatically expanding our excavations at Gegharot and Tsaghkahovit while continuing to welcome new directions in our investigations stimulated by dissertation projects.  Alan Greene will conduct excavations at the site of Aragatsiberd, on the eastern edge of the plain; Maureen Marshall will conduct the first systematic excavations of Tsaghakhovit Plain cemeteries.