Тhe 7th c. BC is considered as the period of formation and rise of the Median Empire. Meantime, economic crises, political instability, ethnic migrations, decline in military power, foreign invasions and, eventually, collapse of ancient state structures and depopulation were observed in the Armenian Highland and in Mesopotamia in the same period. These phenomena have usually occurred in the dramatic periods of the history of ancient Near East and, as a rule, were conditioned by climate change-related problems.

KeywordsMedian Empire Iranian Plateau Assyria Urartu palaeoenvironment climate changes crisis ethnic migrations depopulation.

The Urartian (Biainian) tomb of Yerevan is situated in the capital city of the Republic of Armenia, within the area now occupied by “Yerevan Mall”. Discovered in 1984 during construction activities, it has since been the subject of detailed archaeological investigation. Although several comprehensive studies have been devoted to the monument, none have addressed the engraved symbols found on one of the façade stones near the entrance and on two tuff fragments uncovered in close proximity to the façade.

KeywordsUrartu Urartian tomb of Yerevan Etiuni Achaemenid cuneiform unknown script Armenia cryptography.

Nicholas Adontz (1871–1942) was an internationally renowned Byzantinist and Armenologist. He received a brilliant education at the Tatev Monastery, the Gevorkian Seminary in Etchmiadzin, in Tiflis, and at St. Petersburg University from which he graduated with a gold medal. From 1899 to 1901, thanks to the financial support of Alexander Man-tashyants, N. Adontz completed internship in London, Paris, Munich, Strasbourg, Venice, and at the University of Vienna, working in various matenadarans (manuscript repositories) and libraries. He had the honor of attending lectures by such eminent scholars as Karl Krumbacher, Antoine Meillet, Heinrich Hübschmann and others.

KeywordsAdontz Marr Byzantinist Armenologist Urartu Tigran the Great Macedonian dynasty St. Petersburg Gevorkian Seminary Dionysius Thrax the Armenian Question