Ardanuç Artvin Province, Turkey, October 14, 2025
Photo: palitravideo.ge
Turkish archaeologists have announced the discovery of what they believe to be the tomb of Georgian King St. Ashot I Kurapalates beneath Ardanuç Castle in northeastern Turkey, though Georgian researchers say additional study is required to confirm the finding.
An archaeological expedition from Van Yüzüncü Yıl University and Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism discovered the tomb beneath the ruins of the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul in the fortress-city of Ardanuç. According to the Turkish team, the tomb belongs to the great Georgian king St. Ashot I Kuropalates, who ruled during the 9th century, reports Arkeonews.
The discovery was made during the 2025 excavation season, when archaeologists working around the church’s apse uncovered 6.5-foot-long, 6-foot-wide vaulted tomb chamber sealed since the Middle Ages. Dr. Osman Aytekin, head of the excavation team, stated that the chamber’s form, location, and historical evidence point to this being the burial place of St. Ashot, who according to the medieval chronicle Kartlis Tskhovreba was buried beneath the church in Ardanuç following his assassination around 826 AD.
Photo: georgiatoday.ge
However, the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia believes more research is needed. Specialists from the agency, under the leadership of Professor Vakhtang Japaridze, were present at the archaeological excavation site, where Turkish colleagues briefed them on the ongoing work and the new discoveries.
“Given that the tomb contained no remains and no inscription of any kind, Georgian researchers believe that the discovery requires additional study and analysis to confirm the tomb’s attribution to Ashot Kuropalates,” the agency stated.
The Cultural Heritage Agency welcomed the efforts of their Turkish colleagues to scientifically study Ardanuç Castle, which in the past served as the political center of Tao-Klarjeti, a mountainous region spanning modern-day Türkiye and Georgia.
Photo: johnsanidopoulos.com
King Ashot I, known in Georgian chronicles as Ashot I Kurapalates or Ashot the Great, united Georgian principalities under the Bagratid dynasty, rebuilt Christian monasteries, and restored political stability after centuries of invasions. He was recognized by the Byzantine Empire with the prestigious title Kuropalates. The discovery of his tomb would represent a major find in Georgian medieval history, as only two royal tombs have remained unaccounted for: those of Queen Tamara and King Ashot.
Gevhernik Fortress dates back to the 5th century and was restored and expanded by King Ashot in the 9th century. The site has revealed evidence of a thriving medieval settlement, with excavations uncovering Byzantine coins, ceramic fragments, cisterns, and communal kitchens.
Artifacts from the excavations will be displayed at the Artvin Museum, and plans are underway to preserve the tomb chamber and open the site to visitors.
Read more about St. Ashot in, “Martyr Ashot Kuropalates, King of Artanuji.”
Follow OrthoChristian on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, and MeWe!
