Approximately 4,000-Year-Old Ancient Artifacts Discovered During Road Construction in Berd
While carrying out road construction works in the city of Berd, builders found pottery dating back to the Middle Bronze Age in the soil layer. They immediately informed Artur Yerkanian, the Director of the Berd History and Ethnography Museum. The Municipality promptly halted the road construction works.
The artifacts were studied by Ashot Philiposyan, Doctor of Historical Sciences and Scientific Secretary of the “Service for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserves and Historical Environment” Non-Commercial State Organization (NCGO) under the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports (MESCS) of the Republic of Armenia (RA). According to him, an earth-mound tomb (kurgan) characteristic of the beginning of the 2nd millennium BC was uncovered in the discovered area. Cremation was widespread at that time, which is why such tombs mainly contain vessels, jewelry, and animal bones, but no human remains.
Currently, more than 5 vessels have been found, some of which are painted. These are large-sized water jars with an orange surface and black patterns. According to Philiposyan, such vessels are found throughout the Armenian Highlands.
The artifacts will later be transferred to the museum of the “Berd” Historical and Cultural Reserve to become a new exhibit.