Karmir Blur Hill

Karmir Blur, meaning “Red Hill” in Armenian, lies in western Yerevan on the left bank of the Hrazdan River. The hill is known for ancient settlements, most notably the Urartian fortress-city of Teishebaini. Archaeological interest began in 1936 when geologist A. P. Demekhin, studying the basalt formations of the Hrazdan, found a stone fragment bearing a cuneiform inscription on the summit. Subsequent excavations revealed an extensive ancient settlement. Systematic archaeological research began in 1939 and has continued ever since.