The third season at Metsamor started in 3rd of September 2015 and ended in 3rd of October. We extended our research area towards three directions: west, north and south-east. The main aim of the fieldwork was to unearth the area around structures S1 and S2. Moreover, the mission aimed to investigate the rectangular structure (S3) which was partially explored in the previous season. The team was divided into three separate groups that worked in different trenches. Team A explored two rows of squares from S16 to A16 and from U17 to A17.
Team B worked in squares R17 and R18, while Team C focused its efforts in squares T18, U18 and A18. During the excavation, team A discovered a new chamber (S 4) adjoining to building S2. The structure was partially sunk in the ground, however the team discovered only the eastern wall of the building that was poorly constructed from small un-worked stones. Inside of the structure only remains of fire was found which probably the effect of the devastation of the building. Surprisingly, in squares that are situated east from the structure there was an empty space containing only a few small pits.
Team B was excavating in the area close to the SW corner of building S2. In the first stage of the work, we expected to find the continuation of the building. Unfortunately, only the scattered remains of badly destroyed walls and, in some spots, traces of an ash layer were found. However, many interesting small finds were unearthed in the area, such as, slingshot bullets, iron knifes, decorated bone pin and many stone beads. Many of them were found in the aforementioned ash layer, which is connected with the destruction layers that were uncovered in 2013 and 2014.
Team C concentrated mostly on structure S3 that we initially believed to be only a platform. However, as the work progressed it became apparent that instead of a platform we discovered the remains of a small chamber which was reused after its abandonment as a grave in the Hellenistic period. In the SE corner of the structure the team discovered a skeleton of an older man which was preserved in a good condition. The burial is dated to the post-Achaemenian period, unfortunately, apart of a bronze ring, we did not find any other grave goods associated with the burial.
Team Members: Krzysztof Jakubiak, Artavazd Zaqyan, Mateusz Iskra, Tigran Zaqyan, Marek Truszkowski, Hasmik Simonyan, Tatiana Adamowska, Menua Gevorgyan, Otto Bagi, Lusine Aleqsanyan, Justyna Łukaszewicz, Marta Daniel, Julia Maczuga, Deborah Gawlikowska, Stayko Staykov, Mariya Baeva, Marcin Okniński
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