Tigranakert of Artsakh – 3D Reconstruction of the Central Quarter

Below are renders from a 3D reconstruction of the central quarter of the city of Tigranakert of Artsakh, the first city built in the territory of Artsakh. Recall that the Artsakh Tigranakert was founded in 77 BC by King of Greater Armenia Tigran the Great.

The city existed for 1,500 years until the 14th century AD when it was destroyed and plundered by Turkic tribes. Later, in the 19th century, the Azerbaijani city of Aghdam was founded on its ruins. In 1993, after 42 days of fighting, Aghdam came under the control of the armed forces of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

Since then, Armenians have had the chance to freely carry out archaeological excavations of their ancient city. In Soviet times, Azerbaijani “scientists” did not allow Armenians to conduct research in the territory of the Agdham area, assuring that “there was nothing here”.

As a result of the archaeological excavations, an entire city was unearthed with quarters, ancient temples, medieval Christian churches, khachkars (cross-stones), Armenian texts, royal palaces, squares, defensive structures, and many other artifacts of the ancient world.

In total, the city covered an area of 90 hectares, including 7 hectares in the central, fortified quarter located on the slope of Mount Vankasar. The rest of the city lied on a vast plain at the foot of the mountain.

At the highest point of the fortified central quarter stood the palace-residence of the kings of Greater Armenia decorated with Hellenistic statues and protected by powerful walls and gates. Tigranakert of Artsakh is planned to be restored in its original form.