European Heritage Days for the second time in Metsamor

29.07.2021 / Iskra Mateusz

On September 18 and 19, 2021, the Armenian-Polish Archaeological Mission, together with the Metsamor Museum, will host the European Heritage Days- an annual event of the European Union and the Council of Europe promoting the protection of monuments and museum activities.

This type of initiative has also appeared in Armenia since 2000, still enjoying the unwavering interest of the Armenian citizens and local media. This year’s theme will be to introduce the public to the treasures of their national heritage throughout exclusive visits and tours of archaeological sites, usually closed to the public. Thereby, the event mains to make the public aware of the diversity of Armenian archaeological heritage and to find out the importance of its preservation and the secrets of the science. The organization of this year’s event is the responsibility of the French Embassy together with the Polish Embassy in Yerevan, therefore the program includes visiting two main archaeological sites – the Erebuni fortress, where works the French mission led by Stephané Deshamps, and Metsamor, where, since 2013, research has been conducted by Poles under the supervision of Krzysztof Jakubiak. According to the program of the event, on 18.09 Erebuni will be the host, and on 19.09 guests will come to Metsamor. On this day the following is planned:

– Visiting the museum and the archaeological site, including the part that will be unearthed during the upcoming excavations

-Presentation of the most important finds of the 2021 season by members of the mission

– A series of scientific and popularizing lectures given by members of the mission. Among them:

Krzysztof Jakubiak- 'Metsamor- the transition from the Iron Age small town to the post-Urartian settlement'

Mateusz Iskra- 'Iron Age Heritage of Armavir Province'

Karolina Warecka- 'Carnelian Beads as an Element of Personal Adornment Found During Research in Metsamor in the 2018-2021 seasons'

Bartosz Placak- 'With Microscope into the Past. The Metsamor Archaeological Site, the Thin Section Pottery Fragments Analysis, Searching for their Provenance and Methods of Processing '

In addition, an exhibition will be displayed in the museum building presenting the contribution of the Armenian-Polish Archaeological Mission to the development of knowledge about the prehistoric past of Armenia. A miniature excavation trench will be created for the youngest guests, where they will be able to try their hand at being a little archaeologists.

Back to news

Comments