One of the areas of activity of "State Service for the Protection of the Historical Environment" SNCO of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Artsakh is the implementation of excavations in the territories of preserved ancient settlements. Large-scale archaeological excavations have been carried out on the territory of historical Tigranakert since 2005. Excavations were also conducted in the cave of Azokh in  Hadrut  region.  In recent years, archaeological excavations have been carried out in Karkar, near Artsvashen community of the Karashagh  region, in the territories of Nor Haykajur community of the Martakert region and Amaras monastery.

Nzhdeh Yeranian, the deputy director for scientific activities of "State Service for the Protection of the Historical Environment" SNCO, briefly introduced the results of the excavations of Tigranakert: “Since the monument is multi-layered, therefore, the most ancient artifacts date back to the ancient period, medieval objects were also found: ceramics, anthropological material, coins, various tools. Most of the finds are being studied in Yerevan, the anthropological material is sent to European countries. After studying and restoring a part of the finds from the territory of historical Tigranakert, they are permanently exhibited in the archaeological museum of Tigranakert, the rest are stored in the funds of the SNCO and exhibited in temporary exhibitions”. 

In Soviet times excavations were conducted in the cave of Azokh. This is one of the most important archaeological settlements of the region, which allows studying the movement of people on the territory of the Armenian highland in ancient times.

From 2002, an international archaeological expedition led by Tania King has carried out extensive excavations in the cave of Azokh. Undamaged entrances, as well as numerous pre-historic artifacts, including tools and animal remains were found on this site. After being studied in Europe, findings from the cave of Azokh are returned and replenish the funds of the "State Service for the Protection of the Historical Environment". The study of artifacts suggests that in this historical territory people lived about two million years ago. The finds from the cave of Azokh are exhibited in various museums of Artsakh, as well as in the building of SNCO. 

 According to Nzhdeh Yeranyan, archeological excavations in the territory of Artsakh are financed by the Government of the Republic of Artsakh. This year, excavations will continue in Tigranakert, in the village of Nor Karmiravan of Martakert region. At the end of 2016 anthropomorphic monuments that date back to the I millennium BC were found in in the village of Nor Karmiravan. 

The deputy director for scientific activities of "State Service for the Protection of the Historical Environment" expressed hope that this year it would be possible to continue excavations in the cave of Azokh.

Local expeditions will carry out  excavations in Tigranakert and Nor Karmiravan and international expeditions — in the cave of Azokh.

                                                                                   Source- hushardzan.am