November 16, 2009 - 16:36 AMT
Excavation underway, proving developed winemaking in ancient Armenia
Excavations proving the development of the ancient wine-making on the territory of modern Armenia, continue, ethnographer Suren Pogosyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. According to him, excavations are conducted by the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of Armenia, and the first objects, in ancient times winemaking was developed trade on the territory of modern Armenia, were discovered in 2007.

According to Suren Pogosyan, excavations are carried out in a huge cave, called Areni1 and located near the village of Areni, across the river Arpa. "Bones of grapes, clay pots, stems of grapes were found. These items indicate that Armenia produced wine 4 000 years BC and perhaps even earlier, " he said. "The results of excavations cannot been disclosed so far. After relevant expert estimations we can firmly state that this construction is one of the oldest in the world," he said.

The ethnographer also informed that he takes part in excavations of 3 vineries of medieval period (13 century) n the village of Poti of the Tavush region and one vinery in the village of Shnogh of Lori region of Armenia.