The archaeological expedition of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the RA National Academy of Sciences has begun excavations on the territory of the newly discovered fortress on Mount Hatis, Kotayk region, RA, reports the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports. 

The fortress (Shamiram Fortress, Hatis Castle) is located on the conical peak of Hatis.. A 3 m-wide entrance has been preserved in the eastern wall. The best-preserved part of the fence, around 3 m long, is over 10 rows high.

The expedition team comprises 6 Armenian and Italian archaeologists.

The data obtained to date the site to the Bronze and Iron Ages, the Antiquity and the Middle Ages. Among the archaeological finds, examples of shells from different periods, examples of obsidian arrows from the Bronze Age, an iron spearhead, various items of stone, iron and bronze jewelry, a cylinder seal (probably from the 5th century BC) and a silver coin with the image of Alexander the Great can be distinguished. .

Excavations are scheduled for completion by the end of August.