The settlement of Areni (a settlement of valiant and brave people, also known as Old Karbi) is located about 2 km west of the village of Karbi, on a small hill. The settlement is completely covered with ruins of residential buildings where streets and courtyards are visible.
Work on the cleaning and excavation of the cells of the Great Tatev Desert (expedition leader – Arman Nalbandyan) is ongoing.
Initiated by the diocese of Vayots Dzor and with the permission of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport of the Republic of Armenia, from May 27 to June 6, 2025, an expedition from the Scientific Research Centre of Historical and Cultural Heritage, led by Meri Safaryan, conducted excavations within the semi-underground burial structure of the Holy Mother of God church (Burtelashen) at the Noravank Monastery (built in 1339).
On April 22, members of the Accounting Chamber of Japan, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and representatives from the Georgian office of the Japanese company "JICA" visited the Scientific Research Center of Historical and Cultural Heritage.