Armenian Studies 2007 Press Releases

24 November 2007

CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN LIBRARY IN JERUSALEM REOPENS AFTER EXTENSIVE RENOVATION

AZG Armenian Daily #216 - 23/11/2007

Social, Culture

The reopening of the Calouste Gulbenkian Library of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem took place on Saturday, November 3, after an extensive renovation and refurbishment funded by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation of Lisbon and the Saint Sarkis Charity Trust of London.

The Library was the vision of Patriarch Yeghishe Tourian (1921-1929), and was completed thanks to the generosity of the founding benefactor Calouste Gulbenkian, who undertook the project in honor of his parents, and of Patriarch Tourian's fiftieth anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. The cornerstone was laid in 1929, but the late Patriarch did not live to see his dream realized, and it was his successor, Patriarch Torkom I Koushagian who presided at the Library's opening in 1932.

The 2007 reopening ceremony was attended by the contemporary members of the Gulbenkian dynasty, key figures in the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the Saint Sarkis Charity Trust, who had traveled from Lisbon and London for the ceremonies. During their weeklong visit, they were given the opportunity to view firsthand the many benevolent projects that their illustrious forebear had funded in and around the Armenian Patriarchate and Jerusalem.

The presence of Paul Gulbenkian, the benefactor's grandson and President of the Saint Sarkis Charity Trust, and Martin Essayan, his great grandson and a Trustee of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, together with their spouses, lent a special poignancy to the culmination of the renovation efforts of this unique repository of over 100,000 volumes in the Holy Land.

The original collection of the Library's books was supplemented through the years by the generous donations of successive Patriarchs, Calouste Gulbenkian himself, members of the St. James Brotherhood, many devoted people from the Armenian Diaspora and Armenia, and a host of non-Armenian friends of the Library.

In its present form, the collection of Armenian books has grown into one of the largest and most important in the world, and also includes several thousand volumes of literature in European and Middle Eastern languages as well as journals and newspapers from the 18th until the early 20th centuries, and includes crucial studies in Armenology. Its collection of Armenian newspapers is the third largest in the world after Vienna and the National Library in Armenia.

The honored guests were joined by the area's diplomatic, governmental, ecumenical and library representatives, as well as a cross section of others in the community who viewed the restored collection resettled in new compact shelving in a temperature controlled, air conditioned facility.

Welcomed by His Eminence Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, the Grand Sacristan of the Patriarchate, the gathered guests enjoyed a short program full of reminiscences about the life and work of Calouste Gulbenkian and his passionate ties with Jerusalem throughout the years as presented by Mr. Martin Essayan, Mr. Kevork Hintlian, Jerusalemite and author, and Miss Astrig Tchamkerten, Assistant Director of the Armenian Communities Department of the Foundation. Father Norayr Kazazian, the present director of the Library, spoke of future plans to bring the Library up to the highest standards of digitization with the continued support of the Foundation.

A musical interlude by the seminarians of the Patriarchate preceded the remarks of His Beatitude Patriarch Archbishop Torkom Manoogian who closed the formal program by bestowing the Patriarchate's Medal of Honor, for exemplary support and patronage of the needs of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, upon Mr. Essayan, Miss Tchamkerten and Mr. Gulbenkian. Mr. Gulbenkian, speaking on behalf of the three honorees, expressed his appreciation for the honor and for the efforts the Patriarchate had made to ensure that the Gulbenkian Library continue to serve its international constituency.

Following the opening program, a reception was held in the Patriarchate's Main Hall.

3 October 2007

X-RAYS TO PENETRATE INTO THE SECRET OF MATENADARAN'S PARCHMENTS

ArmInfo Agency, Armenia

ArmInfo. The Matenadaran-the Armenian Institute of Ancient Manuscripts and the American Early Manuscripts Electronic Library (EMEL) signed an agreement on the digitization of more than 100 palimpsests-parchments. What was written on them was erased or washed out in order to reuse them, Matenadaran's director Hrachia Tamrazian told ArmInfo correspondent.

According to him, digitization of the manuscripts with the device provided by the American side will directly start from the mid 2008.

It isn't still decided by what funds the device worth $90 000 will be bought. However, EMEL expressed readiness to make concessions, promising in advance to send its specialists to Armenia for training the personnel who are going to operate the equipment. R. Tamrazian emphasized that the digitization of the palimpsests will make it possible to disclose the parchments' new contents in the Matenadaran.

In the Middle Ages because of scarcity of parchments scribe-monks resorted to the method of washing out the antique manuscripts for writing new works. Earlier, these ancient writs were restored by chemical means. Now, the digitizing device does X-ray and infrared irradiation of the parchment, simultaneously. In this way EMEL organization disclosed the commentaries written by Archimedes to Aristotle, which were hidden under a layer of paint. Tamrazian emphasized that the American side was provided all the conditions for reservation of copyright on dissemination of information on the manuscripts beyond Armenia.

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16 September 2007

Armenian archaeologists discover second pagan temple after Garni

New Delhi, India

Armenian archaeologists have discovered the second pagan temple in Armenia after Garni. The temple was found 5.5 meters underground not far from the modern town of Artashat, about 30 kilometers to the south-east of Yerevan. Experts say it is devoted to Mihr - the God of the Sun in Armenian mythology.

The temple - the symbol of Sun-worship was built near Artashat which maintained its status the longest among the capitals of Armenia – from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD, said archaeologist Zhores Khachatryan.

"By discovering the remains of the temple we found out that the temple was even more gorgeous and beautiful than Garni. That means we have found a big historical wealth that needs being kept by all means," said the 72-year-old Khachatryan, the coordinator of the archaeological expedition team.

The expedition comprised of 15 workers of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography. The National Academy of Sciences of Armenia had begun the excavations of the territory of capital Artashat in the 1970s. Before that Soviet authorities prohibited large-scale excavations in territories bordering Turkey.

Khachatryan said the findings revealed that Artshat occupied about 400 hectares of territory and had a population of about 150,000 in its heyday, and the fortification walls of the city stretched for more than 10,000 meters.

According to armenianow.com, the town founded on 12 hills in the neighborhood of Khor Virap built on the place of the temple devoted to the goddess of maternity and fertility Anahit.

It used to be a big centre of commerce, and more than 1,000 types of the seals have been found at the site, the report said.

"All the studies show Artashat was built in accord with a regular and a planned design project. However, unfortunately, we cannot research all the hills: the heart of Artashat was built on the marble ore that has been blown up for many times and has equalled that part [of the city] to ground," said Khachatryan.

Khachatryan said the archaeological team has also managed to find the public bathhouse of Artshat with its seven rooms 75 square meters each.

"There is a mosaic floor and a tiny brook, bases and pools with beautiful ornaments have been found. Also a toilet with sewage system with more than 2,000 years of history, something you can't find even in modern-day villages, was found," he said.

"We knew from the very beginning there was a temple that was destroyed during the reign of King Tiridates in the 4th century, in times Christianity was spread. But we didn't know where exactly it was and what was its size," he added.

--- ANI

(Press release from NewKerala.com, New Delhi, India via AIEA

25 August 2007

ARCHAEOLOGISTS DISCOVERED ANCIENT ARMENIAN FORTRESS IN TIGRANAKERT

Karabakh Open / 24-08-2007 18:06:40

Dr. Hamlet Petrosyan, the head of the expedition of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography, held a news conference on August 24 near the ruins of the ancient Armenian town of Tigranakert discovered near the village of Surenavan in the region of Martakert.

It became known that during the excavations the archeologists discovered an ancient Armenian fortress. The digging of the wall of the fortress and the church continue, the southern gate was cleared of the layer of sand. A great number of exponents of ancient and medieval culture were discovered.

"In exploring the site we discovered a new fortress. We think it was also built under King Tigran but the study continues. We continue digging the citadel, the fundament of the fortress, the terrace and the church. We hope to get a full idea of the main compound by the end of the excavations.

I also hope to find writings near the church. We found some fragments but I cannot state yet they are Armenian lithographs," Hamlet Petrosyan said.

The archeologist said the excavations are impeded by financial problems. He said unfortunately this year the Yerkir Union which supports the excavations provided less funding. "Unfortunately, we got no help from innumerable Armenian organizations and agencies, not even the government of Armenia and the Academy of Sciences. Only the government of Karabakh provided 3.5 million drams in July after we turned to the prime minister. Meanwhile, the excavations finish but we haven't got the money yet. Yesterday they promised to transfer the money today, I hope they will. This is the first time the government of Karabakh has helped us, I commend them," Hamlet Petrosyan said.

"In Azerbaijan they say this is political excavations. I want to state officially this is not political excavations because the political bodies pay no attention to us. This is an academic initiative. I haven't noticed any politics on behalf of the government so far," the scientist said.

By the way, the excavations of Tigranakert started in 2005. In the first year the location of the town was identified, afterwards in 2006 part of the wall of the citadel, the wall of one of the neighborhoods and part of an early Christian basilica were discovered.

Hamlet Petrosyan is hopeful that the excavations will continue next year and new buildings and objects will be discovered.

Press Release from Armenian News Network: groong@usc.edu

9 August 2007

NAASR Library Catalogue Goes Online
Bookstore To Follow

A Note From NAASR

Dear Friends:

A milestone has been reached in the summer of 2007 at NAASR. The catalogue of NAASR's Edward and Helen Mardigian Armenian Reference and Research Library is now accessible online through our website at http://naasr.org/library.html.

This allows anyone anywhere to perform a search of the library's catalogue of 10,000 books, thus substantially increasing the usefulness of the library's collection for researchers. At present, a separate listing of NAASR's large periodical holdings is also available.

In coming months, our site will be undergoing a substantial overhaul. We will be adding new content and features, including two in particular that we hope will greatly enhance the site's value:

NAASR's Bookstore will go online, allowing purchases to be made via credit card in a secure shopping environment.
Donations can be made and Membership dues can be paid online via credit card.

Visitors will notice countless other improvements as well. As soon as the new site is ready, an announcement will be sent out. We expect this to take place in September. In the meantime, www.naasr.org is still up and running.

Thank you for your patience and support. For more information contact:

National Association for Armenian Studies and Research, Inc.395 Concord Avenue, Belmont, MA 02478 Telephone: (617) 489-1610 · Fax: (617) 484-1759

Email: hq@naasr.org

31 July 2007

The Armenian Genocide Museum & Institute

The Armenian Genocide Museum & Institute (AGMI) is a non-profit organization based in Yerevan, Republic of Armenia. The mission of the Museum-Institute is the academic and scientific study, analysis of the problems as well as exhibition of the textual and visual documentation related to the first Genocide of the 20th century. Our Objectives are as follows:

To promote the collection, study and presentation of the visual textual materials, including also artifacts, related to the life of the Western Armenians in the Ottoman Empire before and during the Genocide.
To develop more effective cooperation and collaboration among organizations worldwide involved in the research of genocide, particularly Armenian Genocide.
To create and develop and academic institution on Genocide Studies in the Republic of Armenia
To raise international awareness among the international community on the first Genocide of the 20th century defined initially as "a crime against humanity"
To preserve and honor the Tsisternakaberd memorial complex of Genocide victims and the Tisernakaberd Park.

The Armenian Genocide Museum & Institute (AGMI) is also a research center and falls under the umbrella of the Armenian National Academy of Sciences. The main research goal of the institute is to study the Armenian Genocide that occurred in the Ottoman Empire. The focus is based on the scientific research of historical-documentary materials, archived documents, photographic documentation and the accumulation of new data. The Institute obtains materials and documents from various international archives. The Museum also collects, catalogues, and archives eye-witnesses accounts of Genocide. The archived documents and accounts have been translated and published by AGMI.

The Museum & Institute also seeks to include the creation of an internal scientific institution and a school of Genocidology. It does so by promoting a post-graduate degree at the AGMI, and participating in scientific activities for the promotion of the unanimous international recognition of Armenian Genocide. This includes the coordination and establishment of the necessary academic activities for the necessary understanding required at the external levels, including but not limited to educational programs, involvement of foreign researchers and scholars within the sphere Armenian Genocide studies.

The AGMI (National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia) consists of the following six departments:

1. Department of History and Historiography of the Armenian Genocide
2. Department of Study of Casualties and Materials Lost of the Armenian Genocide
3. Department of Comparative Genocidology Studies
4. Department of Genocide of Eastern Armenian Population Studies
5. Department of Scientific Information and Publishing House
6. Department of Public Affairs and Foreign Relations

To achieve these goals, AGMI organizes conferences, holds round-table discussions and publishes newsletters, articles and books, both electronically and in print. The AGMI also cooperates with various scholarly institutions in Germany, France, the USA, Austria, Italy, Russia and various other countries.

And finally, we hope that our web site will be involved in The Groong: Resource sites for Armenia and Karabak. We will expect your affirmative answer.

Armenian Genocide Museum & InstituteRepublic of Armenia, Yerevan 0028Contact: Arevik AvetisyanTel: (374 10) 39 09 81Fax: (374 10) 39 10 41E-mail: info@genocide-museum.amWeb: http://www.genocide-museum.am/

Research Reveals Ancient Urartian Temple

May 2007

Quoted from The California Courier Online Edition, May 2007

In the fall of 2006, Project Discovery awarded $4,955 to Dr. Inesa Karapetyan, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, National Academy of Sciences, Armenia, to investigate the ritual significance of the site of Armavir from the end of the 4^th millennium BC to the end of the 1^st millennium BC. These excavations exposed the architectural character of two types of temples and, with the help of the archaeological materials found at the site (cultic ceramics, statuettes, altars with bones of sacrificial animals, etc.) allowed archaeologists to reconstruct the rites and rituals of the Urartian period. The excavation team included a graduate student specializing in the archaeology of the Urartu, offering a wonderful opportunity for this student to gain knowledge and experience beyond that available through university courses.

During the October excavations, the southern wall was cleared across its entire length (14.90 m), as was the wonderfully preserved southeastern corner and a part (5 meters) of the eastern wall, on which rested a wall of medieval construction. In the upper levels traces of a medieval construction with domestic hearths ("tonirs"), pits, large storage vessels and associated archaeological materials were discovered.

The central square construction (14.90m x 14.90m) is characteristic of Urartian temple architecture. The Urartu are known for their distinctive methods of stone working and masonry. They exhibited immense talent for carving structures from living rock. Other wonderful examples of Urartian temples can be found at Cavustepe, Altintepe and Van.

On the northern slope of the hill the team completed the excavations of a sanctuary. The interior area of the sanctuary is enclosed on the eastern side by the worked cliff, the southern side by a faced stone cliff, and the western side by a constructed stone wall. Rocky outcrops dominate the interior space, one of which is an altar. The second interior space was transformed into a three-stepped pedestal (parakon) on which would have been placed a statue of a god. A basalt idol was found at the base of that pedestal. Inside, in addition to the cultic character of the bones of sacrificial animals, there was found a movable stone altar. The discovered artifacts demonstrate that the sanctuary functioned in the post-Urartu period.

In view of its strategic location, excellent defensive constructions, a formidable complex of buildings within the fortress, and the sanctity of the site, Armavir retained its existence as a temple center in the post-Urartian period (c 6^th-4^th cc BC), and was subsequently chosen as the capital of the Armenian dynasty by the Yervandid kings retained its existence as a temple center in the post-Urartian period (c 6^th - 4^th cc. BC), and was subsequently chosen as the capital of the Armenian dynasty by the Yervandid kings from the end of the 4^th century BC until the second half of the 2^nd century BC.

The study of Armavir in this epoch has tremendous significance for archaeologists and historians in the study of culture, history, and religion in the 1^st millennium BC. Of no small importance is its significance for the study of the architecture of ancient Armenia.

To read the final report with site pictures, click here.

Project Discovery! is an independent charitable organization dedicated to the discovery and preservation of Armenia's archaeological and cultural legacy. For more information, please visit its website at www.projectdiscovery.net.