Excavations begin at St. Shoghakat Church in Vagharshapat

Archaeological excavations at St. Shoghakat Church (also known as St. Mariamne), a single-nave basilica located in the Armenian town of Vagharshapat, commenced on July 21. The excavation project is led by Mary Safaryan, the Scientific Research Center for Historical and Cultural Heritage SNCO reported.

The site – a valuable monument of early medieval Armenian architecture – is being excavated as part of a program aimed at its restoration, reinforcement and preservation. The initiative is a result of ongoing cooperation between the state and private benefactors. Restoration efforts are being overseen by architect Amiran Badishyan.

The church grounds have been cleared of overgrowth and debris. As part of the cleaning process, the archaeological team uncovered the external foundations of the church beneath a two-tier stylobate in the northeastern corner.