MIDDLE EAST HISTORY POLITICS CULTURE XIII MIDDLE EAST XIII | Page 27

3. Since the 1990s a new phase has began in history of research of
the problem. Armenian-Italian joint archaeological expedition (S.
Hmayakyan, H. Sanamyan and R. Biscione) classified the Sevan Lake basin
defense systems, Armenian-American joint expedition (R. Badalyan, A.
Smith) - that of Aragatsotn region. During 2011-2014 the Institute of
Archaeology and Ethnography, NAS RA excavated in sites Margahovit (Lori
region), Sotk 1, Sotk 2 and Norabak 1 (Gegharkunik region), with special
reference to investigation of fortification systems in order to date them:
already the first results are apparent, which allow separate distinguishing
features among Bronze and Iron Age defensive structures.
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