THE PRESERVATION ISSUES OF THE HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL ENVIRONMENT OF TIGRANAKERT IN ARTSAKH

ARCHITECTURE

Abstract

The settlement of Tigranakert in Artsakh was founded and named after Tigran the Great. The town is located in the Askeran region of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (Artsakh) on the lower current of the Khachenaget River to the south of the river on the one of the comparatively low heights of the slopes of Vankasar Mountain and in the depression nearby the slope in the vicinity of the Royal Springs. The existence of water springs played crucial role for the selection of this particular location, due to this resource the issue of water supply of the city was solved. The place of the settlement was defined and archaeological excavations have already been held for 13 years1. The territory of Tigranakert in Artsakh is about 70 hectares. The main construction of the town became visible during excavations: there is Fortified area with its citadel, Central area, Antique area, antique and early Christian graveyards. Nowadays issues are related to the preservation of historical and architectural environment, the solution of which involves a number of complex activities. They are: architectural examination, original measurement and comparative analysis, strengthening and temporary preservative activities, recovery and reusage. The implementation of this complex works provides the firmness of the historic landscape; moreover it contributes to the advantageous presentation and popularization of the monuments.