EXCAVATIONS IN THE AREA OF LORI FORTRESS

The rescue and exploration excavations carried out in 2025 by the expedition of the Scientific Research Centre of Historical and Cultural Heritage (head of the expedition: A. Nalbandyan) in the city-fortress of Lore yielded interesting and significant results.
During the works carried out within the framework of the restoration project, the section adjacent to the canyon of the second (royal) bathhouse was excavated and studied. Due to its location on the edge of the canyon, it was half-destroyed. Foundations of walls and two water basins with water supply and drainage systems were opened there.
Numerous glazed and ordinary ceramic pieces were found, as well as an exceptional example: a peacock-shaped brick. The excavations were also interesting in various parts of the wall, including the entrance to the secret chamber located in the centre of the wall, at a height of about 5 m. As a result, it was opened almost to its full width, which will contribute to a more accurate preparation of the restoration project.
Particularly noteworthy are the excavations at the entrance to the wall, where, during the exploration works, a medieval road was discovered, lined with flagstones, tombstones, as well as the curbstones of that road, where numerous various monuments, including interesting fragments of a pedestal with arches, were also used.