Roman Baths, Palaces, and Aqueduct Discovered in Artashat Excavations

Excavations in the riverside area of Artashat and at the foot of the Khor Virap hill have revealed Roman baths, palaces, and the foundations of a Roman aqueduct dating back to the 2nd century AD. During a press meeting on May 12, Mkrtich Zardaryan, head of the Ancient Armenian archaeology division at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, and leader of the Artashat excavation team, noted that excavations in Artashat have been ongoing since 1970.

Zardaryan stated that a large Roman bath, rich in mosaics, has been uncovered in the riverside district, featuring a double-heated floor and a complex water supply and drainage system. A ritual platform known as the regia, which served as a municipal colonnade, was also discovered, along with various structures adorned with murals. According to Zardaryan, these findings reveal a fascinating period in Artashat's life when Roman culture had a significant influence on local culture.

Addressing the studies conducted at the small hill at the foot of the Khor Virap hill, the excavation leader mentioned that they are working along several lines — conducting archaeological excavations and geophysical studies of the lower, or plain, city of Artashat. Thanks to geophysical excavations, they can ascertain what kinds of structures lie beneath the ground before official excavations take place. Zardaryan explained that these activities were initiated in 2018-2019 and were continued in the spring of this year.

Over the course of two years, nearly forty hectares of land have been studied. During the excavations that began in the 1970s, archaeologists discovered that 15 hills in Artashat were densely populated. Residential and public structures were located on these hills, which were surrounded by walls extending approximately ten kilometers long. However, the archaeologists were not clear about the situation in the plain area.

“In our very first studies, we have uncovered at least two palace structures in the plain area. There was a particularly interesting geophysical anomaly that raised a lot of questions. We constantly discussed with our colleagues what this anomaly might be. Eventually, we uncovered the foundations of a Roman aqueduct. This is a unique phenomenon, not only for Armenia but also for the Middle East. Judging by its orientation and construction patterns, we concluded that the water was brought to Artashat from the current source of the Vedi River, around 30 kilometers away. We have also clarified the construction date, placing it in the 2nd century AD,” Zardaryan detailed.

He reminded that aqueducts are typical Roman structures, constructed within the territory of the Roman Empire, but not outside its borders. “In 114 AD, the Roman Emperor Trajan conquered Armenia, and until the end of 116 AD, Armenia was part of the Roman Empire. It was during this time that the construction of the aqueduct was initiated. By the end of 116, the Romans withdrew, and the aqueduct remained unfinished,” the head of the excavation team stated.