I Think It's a Personal Matter: Deputy Minister of Culture on the Alarm Raised by the "Save Karahunj" Initiative

If they say that the excavations in Karahunj are being done incorrectly, they should specify what is wrong, rather than making emotional statements. This was stated by Tigran Galstyan, Deputy Minister of Culture, in an interview with Tert.am regarding the alarm raised by members of the "Save Karahunj" civil initiative. According to the initiative's statement, the excavations being carried out there aim to prove that Karahunj is not a stone observatory, in other words, an attempt is being made to devalue it, and excavations are being conducted with violations.

“If they have evidence that an archaeological layer has been damaged, let them present it,” said Tigran Galstyan.

He noted that the archaeologists of the Ministry of Culture's interagency archaeological commission have expressed their professional stance that there is no such problem.

“The alarm is mainly raised by the relatives of Herouni, and in my observation, there is a personal issue here. Herouni was a great academic and astronomer, but he conducted studies in archaeology that are not accepted by archaeologists. Every scientist can have their opinion on whether Karahunj is an observatory or not. My attitude is that scientists can think whatever they want; our job is to ensure that the monument is preserved, maintained according to excavation rules, and not diverted from them,” said Galstyan.

Regarding the violations of excavations and the use of heavy machinery during them, the deputy minister noted that not only a hoe but also other machinery can be used during excavations.