Regionalism and Internationalisation in the Urartian Period

An Iron Age Metal Hoard from Yeghegnadzor, Armenia

Edited by Roberto Dan Edited by Annarita S. Bonfanti Edited by Artur Petrosyan Edited by Boris Gasparyan Contributions by Karen Azatyan Contributions by Priscilla Vitolo Contributions by Faezeh Dadfar Contributions by Chiara Zecchi Contributions by Andrea Cesaretti Preface by Paul E. Zimansky

Book cover: Regionalism and Internationalisation in the Urartian Period

Extent: 218 pages

Publisher: Archaeopress Publishing

Subjects: Ancient Near East, World Archaeology

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(May 2025)

ISBN: 9781805830085

7.99 x 10.87 inches

Price: $64.00

Out of stock

This volume details the first systematic study of 58 objects found in Yeghegnadzor in 1989, mainly metallic, including two notable bronze belts. The study, part of the Vayots Dzor Project, offers new insights into their cultural attribution, chronology, and discovery context, supported by detailed analysis and photographic documentation.


In 1989, construction work in Yeghegnadzor led to the unexpected discovery of a collection of metallic objects, immediately interpreted as Urartian grave goods. Among these, two bronze belts attracted the most scholarly attention, while many of the other items were overlooked. The first publication on this discovery appeared in 1990, followed by only a brief study in 2002. Decades later, a collaborative effort between the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, the Areni-1 Scientific-Research Foundation, the Vayots Dzor Regional Museum, and ISMEO – International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies – led to a systematic reassessment of these artifacts as part of the Vayots Dzor Project (VDP). This volume presents the first comprehensive study of the Yeghegnadzor finds, offering detailed analyses, a fully illustrated catalog, and new insights into their cultural attribution, chronology, and archaeological context. Featuring professional photographic documentation, this work challenges previous interpretations and sheds new light on the significance of these artifacts within the broader history of the region.

Foreword

 

Preface

 

Acknowledgements

 

I. Introduction

 

II. Study and interpretation of the archaeological context

 

III Catalogue

 

IV. Analysis

Introduction

Group A

Bowls (YGZ01-03)

Situla (YGZ07)

Phalerae (YGZ10-12)

Belts (YGZ13-14)

Bronze lamina (YGZ15)

Furniture

Tripod stand (YGZ08-10 + 48)

Bronze scabbard (YGZ18)

Trilobate arrowhead (YGZ20)

Seal (YGZ55)

Group B

Arrowheads (YGZ21-29), javelins (YGZ31-34) and spearheads (YGZ35-41)

Sword (YGZ42)

Candle holder (YGZ46)

V. Insights into the objects in the Yeghegnadzor hoard

Analysis of the long-range weapons in the Yeghegnadzor hoard

A brief discussion on “Urartian” metal belts and the problem of “Urartian” art:

Insights on hoards in archaeological research

VI. Conclusions

 

VII. Cross-concordances between the present catalogue and previous publications of the Yeghegnadzor hoard

 

VII. Bibliography

  • Edited by Roberto Dan
  • Edited by Annarita S. Bonfanti
  • Edited by Artur Petrosyan
  • Edited by Boris Gasparyan
  • Contributions by Karen Azatyan
  • Contributions by Priscilla Vitolo
  • Contributions by Faezeh Dadfar
  • Contributions by Chiara Zecchi
  • Contributions by Andrea Cesaretti
  • Preface by Paul E. Zimansky