Ancient Metallurgy of Metsamor

The archaeological site of Metsamor, located in the Armavir Province of Armenia, is one of the largest and best-studied centers of metallurgy and industrial production in the ancient world. Excavations have revealed that between the fourth and second millennia BC (during the Copper and Bronze Ages), a highly developed urban-type settlement with a strong fortress and extensive production complex operated in this area. The metallurgical center of Metsamor is notable for its structural exceptional quality; more than two dozen furnaces and foundries designed for the smelting of ore have been discovered here, constructed from heat-resistant clay mixtures. Archaeological data indicate that local craftsmen mastered complex technologies for obtaining various metals and their alloys, particularly copper, bronze, lead, zinc, and later also iron production. Since there were no tin ore deposits in the region necessary for producing bronze, the availability of raw materials in Metsamor indicates the existence of developed trade connections and the operation of the "Great Bronze Road," through which the ore was imported from other countries. In addition to the mass production of metal tools and weapons, the foundries also produced high-value gold and silver jewelry, which testify to the high level of jewelry art. The discovery of the metallurgical complex in Metsamor proved to the scientific community that the Armenian Highlands was one of the leading cradles of the origin and spread of me