A team of Turkish archaeologists has uncovered what may be the tomb of Ashot I the Great, a revered 9th-century Georgian king and saint, beneath the ruins of a medieval church in northeastern Turkey. The discovery was made in the historic fortress of Gevhernik in the city of Ardanuç, a region once part of the medieval Georgian territory of Tao-Klarjeti.

The excavation, a joint effort by Van Yüzüncü Yıl University and Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is being led by Dr. Osman Aytekin. According to Dr. Aytekin, the stone-vaulted chamber—measuring approximately 2 by 1.8 meters—was found beneath the apse of the ruined Church of Saints Peter and Paul. Its features closely match descriptions found in medieval Georgian chronicles, particularly the 12th-century compilation Kartlis Tskhovreba, which states that King Ashot was buried in this church following his assassination around the year 826.

Despite the promising context, Georgian scholars have urged caution. A delegation from Georgia's National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation, led by Professor Vakhtang Japaridze, attended the excavation and noted that the absence of human remains or inscriptions makes it premature to definitively identify the tomb as belonging to King Ashot.

Nevertheless, the Georgian delegation expressed gratitude to their Turkish counterparts for conducting careful archaeological work in Tao-Klarjeti, a region of profound historical and spiritual importance to Georgia, much of which lies within modern-day Turkey.

In addition to the potential royal tomb, archaeologists have unearthed remnants of a kitchen, an extensive cistern system, 11th-century Byzantine coins, pottery, and metal artifacts across the Gevhernik fortress site. These items will be transferred to the Artvin Museum, and Turkish authorities plan to preserve the tomb and eventually open the site to tourists. Excavations are expected to continue for at least five more years.

King Ashot I, also known as Ashot the Great, played a pivotal role in uniting Georgian lands, restoring monasteries, and strengthening Christianity in the region. He established his royal seat in Artanuji (modern-day Ardanuç) and was granted the Byzantine title curopalates for his achievements. Following his assassination, Ashot was canonized by the Georgian Orthodox Church, with his feast day observed on February 11 (New Style).