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Yerevan is one of the ancient cities in the world. It is located under the protection shade of Biblical Mountain Ararat, on the bank of the Hrazdan River. The hills of Yerevan had 6 000 years of history, through the core of the city's foundation-Urartian stronghold of Erebuni on the Arin Berd hill. The basalt plate with cuneiform inscription testifies that the Urartian king Argishti I founded Erebuni in 782 BC.
Erebuni is one of the unique sites on the territory of the Republic of Armenia .
The archaeological research of the 1998-2003 showed that the site itself is not just an architectural complex of Urartian period, it also contains rich material concerning Ancient Armenia and other archeological periods starting from the Paleolithic till to the Late Hellenistic period /1 century BC/.
The research of the Urartian culture in general, its heritage connection with Early Armenian Kingdom, can be better seen with the help of archaeological research. Erebuni has also pre Urartian, as well as post Urartian cultural layers.
New archaeological research will lead to organize gradual reconstruction of the architectural complex and fortification using modern scientific methods. More assents must be given to the reconstruction and conservation of the structures from mud.
The last excavations here opened different cultural layers, showing different phases of the occupation of the site:
1. Paleolithic period remains,
2. Early Iron Age (XI - X centuries BC) period remains,
3. Urartian Period remains with the largest buildings of the site (VIII - VI centuries BC),
4. The substantial reconstructions on the monument made during the period of the Achemenid Empire (V - IV centuries BC),
5. Hellenistic Period building remains (II -I centuries BC).
The original use of the site: The Town-Fortress was the Administrative, Religious, Culture and Military Center of Urartian State and, later, the Administrative Center of Achemenian 18-th Satrapy. The most ancient layers are registered but not studied yet. The town-fortress, which is dates from the Urartian period and remarkable for its columned halls, temples, palace quarters with their murals, big storehouses and fortification system, nowadays is of great scientific interest.
Historical value: The town-fortress as the administrative center of Ararat valley during the period of VII - VI centuries BC with considerable quantity of epigraphy (cuneiform characters).
Architectural value: Preserved constructions and buildings (Columned halls, temples, palace quarters, big storehouses and fortification system) created by the Urartian culture and their genetic connection with Achemenid and Early Armenian Kingdom period architecture.
Art value: The best archaeological finds of wall-painting fragments from the Urartian period.
Social value: Investigations of monument and its surroundings allows determining the structure of social organization of the Urartian State, as well as economical and political intercommunications of the Urartian population.
During the Achemenidian period (VI - IV centuries BC), the monument probably was the administrative center of the 18th Satrapy. Thirty-columned apadana, temples, palace complexes with wall paintings, as well as fortification system are unique architectural edifices of this time. During Hellenistic Period, the temple of Fire (Susi temple) was built here.
The presence of different cultural layers on the monument has a vital importance for the study of history and culture of Armenian people. The monument, by its historical and cultural importance, can be compared with Tushpa Fortress in the city of Van, Turkey.
The current use of the site: Historical and archaeological preservation and touristic destination. Erebuni is a state monument, inscribed in the State List of Historical and Cultural Monuments of the Republic of Armenia.
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