Aruch Cathedral complex: New archaeological insights into the stratigraphy and historical development

In 2022, within the framework of the collaborative project ‘Medieval Fortifications along the Silk Roads’, a joint initiative of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography NAS RA and the ISMEO – International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies, archaeological excavations and surveys were conducted at several sites in the village of Aruch. These included the religious and palatial complex surrounding the 7th-century Aruch Cathedral (Area 1), the early medieval military fort (Area 2), and the high medieval to early modern castle (Area 3). The primary objective of the test excavations was to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the fortified and secular architectural complexes of Aruch to refine the chronology, examine the stratigraphy, and reconstruct the historical development of the site through its various phases of occupation and use. This paper focuses specifically on the results from the Cathedral complex area (Area 1). Since the early 20th century, the monumental Cathedral has drawn scholarly attention due to its architectural and historical significance. Large-scale excavations conducted in the early 1950s by Antiquities Preservation Committee revealed important components of the complex, including the 7th-century columned hall of Grigor Mamikonian’s palace, a preexisting 5th-century church that had been converted into a secular structure, as well as several other buildings. However, those investigations prioritized monumental architecture and neglected the site’s stratigraphic complexity and subsequent phases of occupation. The new excavations aim to address this gap, offering a deeper insight into the site’s later phases of occupation and transformation.