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<\/a>Metsamor, one of the ancient monuments of the Armenian Plateau, is\u00a0situated in the\u00a0enter \u00a0of the Ararat Valley, 30 kilometres west of Yerevan,\u00a0not far from the spring of the River Metsamor.\u00a0Excavations confirm that people settled in this valley with abundant water sources, hunting grounds and pastures seven thousand years ago.\u00a0The Metsamor Castle was founded on a large volcanic hill. The studies confirm\u00a0that life continued there from the 5th millennium B.C. up to the 18th\u00a0century A.D.\u00a0Excavations revealed three distinct cultural phases of the earthwork, cattle\u00a0breeding, and development of the culture during the Bronze Age, cultural\u00a0and medieval layers from the Early and developed Iron Ages. Studies confirm that Metsamor has already been a city in the Early Bronze Age (second half of the 4th millennium B.C. \u2013 first half of the 3rd millennium B.C.). It consisted of a citadel, palace building and an observatory on a small hill. The six construction horizons are characterized by round planned dwellings and adjacent outbuildings. The grain that was discovered here proves that people used to sow wheat and barley.
\nIn the Middle and Late Bronze Age (2nd millennium B.C.) the culture of Metsamor entered into a new phase of development which was reflected in the material values of the construction horizons of the castle and funeral rites. The basalt anchors testify to the existence of a pillar-ornamented hall. The traces of the war-chariots, as well as the existence of the censer and incensory
\nsets show advances in military technology and the significant role of religious cult rites.\u00a0However, Metsamor was a powerful town in the Early Iron Age (end of the\u00a012th century to the 9th century B.C.) and became the capital of the kingdom in the Ararat Plateau. The citadel was protected with a Cyclopean huge wall and characterized by its palace complex. The city situated near the Lake Akna and occupying an area of about 200 hectares was also protected by its walls, parts of which have been preserved\u00a0up to now. It had a necropolis near the Lake Akna, and another one in the north-eastern part of the castle. A part of the village Taronik is based on the necropolis. The city had its own sacred place named \u201ckus-karer,\u201d rich in water sources.\u00a0The temple ensemble with its seven sanctuaries and outbuildings in the western part of the castle was of significant value from the historical, cult and cultural view. It served as a place for the people\u2019s common rites, such as seasonal festivities: spring, revival of nature and harvest. In Metsamor anointment ceremonies were held, offerings to god were made, wine was poured, and holy bread was baked and served to god and participants of the rite.\u00a0Metsamor had a powerful army and developed metal-working.\u00a0Workshops and smelting furnaces were placed on the slopes of the hill, outside the Cyclopean wall of the castle.\u00a0Being situated on crossroads of trade and travel in the Ararat Valley\u00a0Metsamor closely collaborated with the cultural centres of
\nthe Old East. The frog-scales made of agate with Babylonian inscriptions dating from the 16th to 15th centuries B.C.\u00a0that were excavated in Metsamor, serve as good evidence of this trade. The cornelian seal with\u00a0Egyptian hieroglyphs and dung-beetles are
\nother findings too.<\/p>\n