2,500-Year-Old Urartu Kingdom Houses Discovered in Armenia

A team of archaeologists from Poland and Armenia resumed excavations at Davti Blur, an ancient site rich with historical significance in the Armavir province of Armenia. Known as “David’s Hill,” the site is part of Argisztihinili, a settlement founded in 774 B.C. during the Kingdom of Urartu.

Discovering a fortress city

Dr. Mateusz Iskra from the University of Warsaw and Hasmik Simonyan from Armenia’s Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography lead a team aiming to uncover new details about life in the South Caucasus thousands of years ago.

Davti Blur, once a key administrative and economic hub, is a fortress city with a well-preserved citadel and a residential district. Research suggests that the area’s large homes belonged to the local elite.

Key findings from the excavation

Recent work revealed significant findings, including remnants of houses from the 6th century B.C., a period marking the Kingdom of Urartu’s decline. The walls, nearly 1.5 meters thick, remain remarkably intact. Fragments of floors from two rooms were also discovered, though their exact purposes are still unclear.

Among the most intriguing discoveries was a cemetery where bodies were cremated, and the ashes, along with bones and burial items, were placed in urns. These were covered with decorated ceramic plates, were carefully stored in niches carved into the rock, and protected by a thin layer of soil.

3D reconstruction of two storey fortress of Teishebaini once part of the ancient kingdom of Urartu dated to the 7th BC. pic.twitter.com/8yjE8nYnXH

— Nrken19 (@nrken19) January 16, 2024

Despite damage caused by looters and modern interference, researchers recovered intact artifacts, including one urn dated to the early 7th century B.C. Several metal items, believed to be part of the clothing or possessions of the deceased, were also found.

Challenges to preservation

The site of Urartu kingdom houses in Armenia faces ongoing threats from modern activities. The expansion of a nearby cemetery, illegal waste dumping, and artifact looting have significantly jeopardized its preservation.

Geologists, led by Professor Barbara Woronko, found evidence of an ancient earthquake that likely caused widespread damage, further complicating efforts to protect the site.

Looking ahead, the team plans to resume excavations in May and June 2025. Their focus will include further studies of the residential district to better understand its use and eventual abandonment.

Conservation efforts will be prioritized, including detailed documentation of existing damage and the development of a protection plan.

Vision for cultural preservation

Simonyan emphasized the importance of preserving Davti Blur for future generations. “We will strive to make the Davti Blur site an archaeological reserve that will be open to tourism in the future,” she said.

The vision includes educational programs aimed at raising awareness among Armenians about the value of their cultural heritage.