Excavations in Loreberd

From May to October 2022, excavations and archaeological research were carried out on the territory of one of the famous fortresses of medieval Armenia: the fortified city of Lori. The work was carried out by an expedition of the Scientific Research Center for Historical and Cultural Heritage (head of the expedition: Arman Nalbandyan, archaeologist: Mher Khechoyan, assistant: Sargis Bislamyan), at the expense of a separate grant from the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, within the framework of the restoration and improvement program.
In the course of large-scale work, an area about 60 m long was excavated adjacent to the inner part of the wall, the “top” of the wall, the first and second baths. The church, chapel-mausoleum were explored, and research work was carried out in the interior of the fortress and outside it.
The work yielded significant results in terms of architecture, since the exposed masonry, foundations and floors of structures, and the discovered details will not only help in measuring work, they are also important for a more holistic and complete implementation of restoration projects.
In terms of archaeological finds, the work was also effective. Despite the archaeological layers were mostly mixed, some parts remained intact (for example, layers of the XI-XIII centuries), in which significant objects were discovered.

The collection of glazed and sculptured tiles and bowls with bird, plant and geometric images deserves special attention.
Of particular note is the collection of glazed and sculpted tiles and bowls with bird, plant and geometric motifs. In the interesting finds are pipes, beads and fragments of bracelets, coins, clay bath taps,
a bell, moulds, bone tools, fragments of glass flasks, game figurines, arrows, lighting fixtures, cannonballs, etc.
Of particular note is the clay figurine of an animal found inside the First Bath (an elephant, possibly a playing piece), and a metal icon found on the last day of work.