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Archaeologists conducting ongoing excavations at the Great Hermitage of Tatev, a medieval Armenian monastery in Syunik Province’s Vorotan River valley, have discovered a previously unknown stone inscription that sheds new light on the history of the hermitage’s monastic quarters.
The Historical and Cultural Heritage Research Center of Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports said in a press release that an expedition led by Arman Nalbandyan discovered a particularly interesting and valuable stone lintel bearing an inscription during excavations at the Great Hermitage of Tatev.
“After turning the stone over during work at the site, it was found to bear an inscription. This previously unknown and unpublished inscription sheds new light on the history of the construction of the hermitage’s monastic quarters. The inscription is currently being studied. Preliminary data indicate that it contains the name of a person in whose memory the cell was built, or who lived there,” the agency said.
The excavations are being carried out jointly with the French Embassy. During the work, various sections of the complex have also been uncovered, including residential cells, utility structures, entrances and other areas.
The excavations also uncovered the medieval spring of the Great Hermitage of Tatev beneath a layer of soil. It is a particularly interesting structure, both in terms of its engineering and artistic design. The spring has been fully uncovered and is now accessible and visible to visitors to the Great Hermitage of Tatev.