 Between 1887 and 1889 the French archaeologist Jacques de Morgan discovered 576 rectangular stone <unk> , along with cultural items made of clay , bronze and iron near Akhtala dating back to the 8th century BC . The settlement of modern Akhtala was known as <unk> in the 5th century . The fortress was almost certainly built on top of Bronze and Iron Age foundations . It was built in the late tenth century by the Kyurikids , this branch of the <unk> originated from Gurgen ( the name was pronounced Kyurikeh in the local dialect of Gugark ) . He was the son of the patrons of Sanahin and Haghpat monasteries located not far from Akhtala , King Ashot III the Merciful and Queen <unk> . Gurgen 's brothers were King Smbat II the Conqueror and Gagik I Bagratuni , under whom the Bagratuni Kingdom of Armenia reached the peak of its prosperity . 
