Got a later start to our day today as we were first using the drone to collect data at Aparani Berd. Between 11 and 12 we reached the southern survey boudnary west of Aragats Village, under cloudy skies, rain threatening. We identified a region for our first N-S transects of approximately 2 km of length.
This transect 25 was walked for approximately half its length before rain interrupted work. Several pieces of interesting architecture and burials were recorded. Ranging approximately 150 m out of his way, Karen came upon a significant hilltop/outcrop at the western edge of the survey area that appears to be a Medieval fortress. The masonry consisted of well carpentered boulder forming walls that appeared to stand at least 2-3 m high (significant piles of boulder wall fall prevented highly accurate assessments of the wall heights.) A single terrace abutted the citadel to the northwest, up the mountain. It was split into several rectangular rooms. Below the citadel to the southwest was a square block of 4-6 rectangular rooms. No surface materials were collected.
Rain forced me to return to the Pickler, while the rest of the team made their way back on a Transect 26. Tomorrow's work will continue to collect data in this quadrant, working our way north towards Aparan.