April 1, 2011 - 18:32 AMT
17th century artifacts discovered during construction in Yerevan’s center

Construction of St. Anna spiritual complex has launched on the territory adjacent to St. Mary church in the centre of Yerevan.

The deputy director of Archaeology and Ethnography Institute at Armenia’s National Academy of Sciences, archaeologist Gagik Sargsyan oversees the course of construction.

On April 1, a fragment of the 17th century khachkar, attached to the wall inside the church, was found, as well as a part of a wall of a basilica blown up during 1936’s Stalin-era repressions.

The expert did not rule out the possibility of the discovery of more artifacts dating back to 17th century left in the ruins after the devastating earthquake of 1679.

However the construction works will continue, as no artifact of real value was found.