Book dedicated to medieval Armenian capital of Aruch published in  Yerevan

ArmInfo.The book "Aruch. Rediscovering a Medieval Armenian Capital. Archaeological Campaigns 2022-2025" was presented at the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia.

According to the press service of the National Academy of Sciences of  Armenia, the authors of the book are Astghik Babajanyan, Scientific  Secretary of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography and Head of  the Aruch Archaeological Expedition, and Sergio Ferdinandi, Vice  President of the Italian Association for Mediterranean and Oriental  Studies, Head of the Aruch Archaeological Expedition, and AICS Agency  Director of the Aruch Project.

The book presents the results of archaeological excavations conducted  by an Armenian-Italian expedition at the Aruch Fortress, which  reimagines the ancient site as a significant political, cultural, and  economic center of medieval Armenia.

The Aruch monumental complex is located in the village of Aruch in  the Aragatsotn region. The work demonstrates that, beginning in the  7th century, Aruch, combining religious and secular power and  possessing a developed system of fortifications and infrastructure,  was not simply a settlement or transit point, but a multifunctional  and vibrant center of medieval life.

Representatives of diplomatic, scientific, and educational  institutions participated in the book presentation.  Pavel Avetisyan,  Vice President of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia,  emphasized the book's significant significance for the development of  modern archeology. "The work consists of two interconnected parts.  The first presents the results of archaeological research, while the  second focuses on the preservation, restoration, and tourism  potential of the monument. This is a new approach, where these issues  are interrelated within a single publication. In this regard, the  work represents an important scientific and methodological innovation  in the field of archaeology," said Avetisyan.

Director of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Arsen  Bobokhyan, PhD, noted that the work is the result of many years of  joint research and effective collaboration with international  partners. "This is a brilliant publication, which we have long  awaited," he emphasized.

For his part, Italian Ambassador to Armenia Alessandro Ferranti  emphasized the importance of Armenian- Italian cooperation in this  area. "Aruch is both Armenia's heritage and a world heritage site.  Our goal is to make Aruch a shining example of Armenian-Italian  relations. This beautiful place must also become an attractive  destination that will create economic opportunities and attract a  large influx of tourists. To achieve this goal, we must all work  together, with clear goals and sharing our efforts and work,"  Ferranti said.