Archaeologists excavating at the ancient fortress city of Argištiḫinili in Armenia have uncovered two thrilling discoveries—a carved stone idol with human features and a vast urnfield cemetery—providing rare insights into the Urartian civilization’s beliefs and everyday life over 2,500 years ago.

The head of the idol before its full unveiling. Credit: M. Andrzejewska/PCMA UW

Argištiḫinili, founded in 774 BCE by King Argishti I, was a key administrative and economic center of the Kingdom of Urartu in the South Caucasus. The discoveries were made on Saint David’s Hill (Armenian: Surb Davti Blur), one of the two major mounds of the site, during the second season of excavation led by Dr. Mateusz Iskra of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw, and Hasmik Simonyan of the Insтιтute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, as part of a joint project.

Excavations revealed large terraced houses from the late 7th or 6th century BCE, with ground floors of approximately 400 square meters. Although ancient, the structures were still in excellent condition—several even had original mudbrick and stone slab flooring intact. Archaeologists also discovered a storeroom that contained large ceramic vessels embedded in the floor. In an adjoining chamber, they made an unexpected discovery: a carved human face in a stylized format, resting against the wall of a stone chest.

The figure, described as a “figurine-idol,” is a volcanic tuff sculpture measuring approximately half a meter tall. It features prominent eyebrows, closely set eyes, a long nose, and narrow lips. Researchers indicate that other Armenian sites have yielded similar idols, which are thought to be related to cults of ancestors or fertility. Because this example was unearthed in its original position and undisturbed context, it offers a unique opportunity to study the ritual practices of the site’s occupants. The team will conduct a chemical analysis of the contents within the stone chest, which may contain residues that will clarify the ceremonial use of the idol.

One of the excavated Urartian houses. Credit: Patryk Okrajek/PCMA UW

Besides the residential structures, archaeologists also unearthed a large urnfield cemetery containing twelve cremation burials. Each burial contained ashes carefully placed in urns, in addition to grave goods. The site’s preservation makes it one of the most significant and best-preserved urnfield cemeteries ever discovered in Armenia.

These discoveries provide information on the domestic and spiritual lives of the people who lived in Argištiḫinili during the later phases of the Urartian kingdom. The well-preserved houses depict aspects of daily life, while the idol and cremation cemetery indicate deeply rooted ritual practices and beliefs regarding death and ancestry.

The discoveries underscore the importance of Argištiḫinili as not just a military fortress—it was an active administrative and cultural center on the Ararat plain. The next phase of research, which will take place in 2026, will further explore how its inhabitants interacted with their world and how their religious practices reflected the wider cultural landscape of the ancient Near East.

More information: Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw