Matosavank, 12th century is small church hidden in a forested area of Dilijan National Park. The church is currently in ruins and is difficult to findYerits Mankants Monastery, 17th century – ArtsakhTatevi Anapat – 17th c. Armenian monastery, located near Tatev monastery, surrounded by wild forest, which gives beautiful view of the monastery. In 1995 was considered for inclusion in the UNESCO world heritage list.Tatevi Anapat – 17th c. Armenian monasteryKhachkar near Gandzasar Monastery (13th c.), Artsakh.Khachkar near Gandzasar Monastery (13th c.), Artsakh.Khachkar near Gandzasar Monastery (13th c.), Artsakh.Khachkar near Gandzasar Monastery (13th c.), Artsakh.Medieval Armenian churchGavit of medieval Armenian churchForgotten Khachkar in the forest of Dilijan- Tavush (Armenia – 1000-1600 A.D.)Forgotten Khachkar in the forest of Dilijan- Tavush (Armenia – 1000-1600 A.D.)Okhty Ekhtsy monastery – medieval Armenian, ArtsakhKhachkar near Okhty Ekhtsy monasteryKhachkar near Okhty Ekhtsy monasteryKhachkar near Okhty Ekhtsy monasteryKhachkar near Okhty Ekhtsy monasteryKhachkar near Okhty Ekhtsy monasteryKhachkar near Okhty Ekhtsy monasteryKhachkar of Okhty Ekhtsy monastery – ArtsakhKhachkar of Okhty Ekhtsy monastery – ArtsakhMedieval khachkar in the woods near the town of LachinKhachkar in the forest of Dilijan, Tavush (Armenia)Geghdznudi Monastery: located in Tavush region, deep in the forest, 9 km south west of Ajarqourt village — 13th Century.Bardzrakash St. Grigor Monastery (10th. c.), Dsegh, Alaverdi, ArmeniaMedieval khachkars near Bardzrakash monastery, Dsegh Alaverdi, ArmeniaBardzrakash S. Grigir monasteryBardzrakash S. Grigir monasteryBardzrakash S. Grigir monasteryBardzrakash S. Grigir monasteryOn the way to BardzrakashOn the way to BardzrakashOn the way to BardzrakashBardzrakash S. Grigir monasteryAghavnavank, S. Astvatsatsin church (XII-XIII century)Horomayri Monastery inscription. A 12th century monastic complex in the Lori Province of ArmeniaTeghenik Monastery (12th century).Teghenik Monastery (12th century).Teghenik Monastery (12th century).Teghenik Monastery (12th century).Kobayr monastery 12th century, Lori ArmeniaBardzrakash St. Grigor Monastery, Dsegh, ArmeniaBardzrakash St. Grigor Monastery, Dsegh, Armenia (10th c.)Kobayr monastery Alaverdi Armenia (12th c.)Araqeloc Monastery 13th century (Tavush, Armenia)Kobayr Monastery 12th. c. ArmeniaKobayr Monastery pillar, 12th c. ArmeniaAghavnavanq Monsatery 12th c.(literally – Dove’s monastryDilijan National Park, Armenia
Great pictures. I went to some of these, but in early winter. They look so different in summer – even more beautiful. Especially liked the first two, which I hadn’t been to.
Thank you friend, 🙂 No I am not , but I am an academic (in social sciences). I have to maintain a certain level of academic integrity I guess. We can all make mistakes, but it is important to seek out information as accurate as one can. But historic, cultural and archaeological subjects always have fascinate me, so I try to apply my skills in these fields as well. I’m pleased to hear that people enjoy my posts. 🙂
Ill always remember, what you taught me, the photos. spoke loudly to me, the missing link, of geology and history, the battle between two peoples, genetically , and spiritually,by creation, opposites, that to this day, continues. It filled in, completed my studies, of the grand cycles. An epic true tale, of a race of intelligent, fierce warriors, who held the truth, of the mysteries of the ages. Know, you changed many lives, taught many, who are now teaching many. You are an amazing man, the study of sociology, I also majored in, broke out of, into geology and history. I am carefully now, searching Malta, seeking answers how, where they fit in, in this epic tale, by any chance, do you have an opinion on Malta, and who they were, in the ancient world? My thanks. Robinson C
These are unbelieveable. Wish my Hairig was still alive, might be able to shed some light on these pictures.
Can anything be done to at least preserve access to these sites?
Absolutely incredible. Any way to date them?
Great photos of a slice of history I was completely unaware of.
The carved symbols on the’Khachkar’ (gravestones) are thought provoking. Some are the same as very early Celtic imagery from Ireland and Britain. I understand that much of early Celtic culture (Bronze and Neolithic) spread eastwards from central Europe. Did those patterns originate in Armenia or elsewhere?
Some of the Muscular motifs somewhat resemble Greek ‘wave’ scrolls. Others resemble Hindu motifs now, sadly, more known as the swastika , but originally peaceful and nothing is do with Nazis.
Is the carved writing Greek or Cyrillic script? Some of the carved script appears different – Khachkar near Okhty Ekhtsy monastery (first) Artsakh.
Some of the wartime or horsemen figures resemble Asian or Persian clothing or styles. Until now I would not have experts to find such images in a Christian setting. I guess it was the influence of the expanding Ottoman Empire.
It is fascinating how the spread of cultures has shaped the world we live in. I’ll have to find out much more about the history of your part of the world. The photos are beautiful, as are the historic remains. Even just the locations are beautiful. Is anything being done to preserve the remains? I imagine some historians would very much like to research these areas.
You’re asking so many interesting yet complicated questions, but I’ll attempt to answer them to my best abilities.
Celtic-Armenian similarities in art and legends have been noted by many experts in the past. The medieval Anglo Saxon Chronicles in fact details the coming of the first people to the British isles and literally reads: “The first inhabitants were the Britons, who came from Armenia, and first peopled Britain southward.” You can read more about such similarities here: https://www.peopleofar.com/2014/03/08/from-armenia-to-devonshire/
So there is definitely an Armenian-Celtic connection that goes far back in history. Such motives even predate the Christian period and can be found on pagan ruins in Armenia. The art of carving sacred symbols on stone and erecting them is very ancient in Armenia. Such stones are known as Vishapakars (Dragon stones) http://www.gardmantour.com/f/551918f3784dc84705000016/w.jpg. These stones are dated all the way to the 3rd millennium BC and are believed to be the inspiration for the later Christian cross-stones known as Khachkars. http://rcchd.icomos.org.ge/?l=E&m=4-4&JID=3&AID=26
As far as the Neolithic Revolution goes, Armenian Highlands are often considered one of the cradles of the Neolithic revolution from where domestication of animals and agriculture spread to the rest of Europe. And some of the worlds oldest monuments like the Göbekli Tepe temple (in today’s Turkey) is found exactly in this region. You can read more about the spread of agriculture from Armenia here: https://www.peopleofar.com/2013/12/15/spread-of-agriculture/
All the Khachkars are carved in Armenian, not Greek nor Cyrillic. The difference is in the fonts. During the middle ages the practice of calligraphy was quite popular and thus they developed many different fonts.
Or watch this video that summarizes it all basically:
——————
unfortunately, although most of these sites are “officially” under protection little is being done to really preserve them due to lack of funding and the inaccessibility of some of these mountainous forest regions where these monuments are found. Sometimes people dig up such cross-stones but there is no real effective program to preserve it. Recently both UNESCO and the EU has provided some funds though in order to preserve some of these sites but I’m not sure how successful these programs are. They still remain in danger and my guess is that much of it will disappear or get buried eventually. In fact one of these monasteries seen in these pictures was mentioned in 2014 among “Europe’s most threatened heritage” by the leading European heritage organisation Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank. https://www.peopleofar.com/2014/05/19/monastery-of-bardzrakash-st-gregory-in-armenia-among-europes-most-threatened-heritage/
So maybe someone will find some funds to preserve it, but for now I guess we’ll have to enjoy them as long as we can.
Dear Sir/Madam
thank you for your very informative reply.
I feel a bit embarrassed because I should have done some more research before asking all those questions!
Your website is a very, very interesting slice of world history. I’ll be back to it often. Keep up the good work!
Sincerely,
Gary F
Beautiful reminders of a culture that is very alive in spite of the attempt to destroy it. Haunting. Crafted with skill. Untouched by time. The green of the forest only enhances the beauty in the art.
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Great pictures. I went to some of these, but in early winter. They look so different in summer – even more beautiful. Especially liked the first two, which I hadn’t been to.
Dude, your pages and documents and pics are like so awesome and professional that I gotta ask: are you a professional archeologist or somthn :P?
Thank you friend, 🙂 No I am not , but I am an academic (in social sciences). I have to maintain a certain level of academic integrity I guess. We can all make mistakes, but it is important to seek out information as accurate as one can. But historic, cultural and archaeological subjects always have fascinate me, so I try to apply my skills in these fields as well. I’m pleased to hear that people enjoy my posts. 🙂
So, anthropologist :P?
Such beautiful photos..What it all must have looked like back in it’s beginning..I am awe struck..
Ill always remember, what you taught me, the photos. spoke loudly to me, the missing link, of geology and history, the battle between two peoples, genetically , and spiritually,by creation, opposites, that to this day, continues. It filled in, completed my studies, of the grand cycles. An epic true tale, of a race of intelligent, fierce warriors, who held the truth, of the mysteries of the ages. Know, you changed many lives, taught many, who are now teaching many. You are an amazing man, the study of sociology, I also majored in, broke out of, into geology and history. I am carefully now, searching Malta, seeking answers how, where they fit in, in this epic tale, by any chance, do you have an opinion on Malta, and who they were, in the ancient world? My thanks. Robinson C
These are the pictures that I’ve used for the following video:
My beautiful Armenia❤️
Thank you for posting, keep up with your wonderful work.
Thank you
Good job !!! Thanks !
Apreq !!! Shat lav ashkhatanq e . Inchu chem karogh sher anel?
Mernem qez Hay Jan thank you great job Love all you do God Bless, keep up the good work please Cavt tanem.
These are unbelieveable. Wish my Hairig was still alive, might be able to shed some light on these pictures.
Can anything be done to at least preserve access to these sites?
Absolutely incredible. Any way to date them?
Great photos of a slice of history I was completely unaware of.
The carved symbols on the’Khachkar’ (gravestones) are thought provoking. Some are the same as very early Celtic imagery from Ireland and Britain. I understand that much of early Celtic culture (Bronze and Neolithic) spread eastwards from central Europe. Did those patterns originate in Armenia or elsewhere?
Some of the Muscular motifs somewhat resemble Greek ‘wave’ scrolls. Others resemble Hindu motifs now, sadly, more known as the swastika , but originally peaceful and nothing is do with Nazis.
Is the carved writing Greek or Cyrillic script? Some of the carved script appears different – Khachkar near Okhty Ekhtsy monastery (first) Artsakh.
Some of the wartime or horsemen figures resemble Asian or Persian clothing or styles. Until now I would not have experts to find such images in a Christian setting. I guess it was the influence of the expanding Ottoman Empire.
It is fascinating how the spread of cultures has shaped the world we live in. I’ll have to find out much more about the history of your part of the world. The photos are beautiful, as are the historic remains. Even just the locations are beautiful. Is anything being done to preserve the remains? I imagine some historians would very much like to research these areas.
Thanks for sharing it all.
Garrison Fall
Australia
Dear Garrison,
You’re asking so many interesting yet complicated questions, but I’ll attempt to answer them to my best abilities.
Celtic-Armenian similarities in art and legends have been noted by many experts in the past. The medieval Anglo Saxon Chronicles in fact details the coming of the first people to the British isles and literally reads: “The first inhabitants were the Britons, who came from Armenia, and first peopled Britain southward.” You can read more about such similarities here: https://www.peopleofar.com/2014/03/08/from-armenia-to-devonshire/
As for cross-stone motives those too have a long connection to Armenia. Here is a book that might interest you titled: “The Mediterranean Legacy in Early Celtic Christianity: A Journey from Armenia to Ireland” http://www.amazon.com/Mediterranean-Legacy-Early-Celtic-Christianity/dp/1898948704
Another book written by a Welsh author also describes many cultural similarities between Armenia and Wales, including several ancient legends and cross-stone art: “From Carmarthen to Karabagh” https://www.peopleofar.com/2012/04/26/new-book-highlights-similarities-between-wales-and-armenia/
This book is for sale here: http://www.gwales.com/goto/biblio/en/9781845273668/
So there is definitely an Armenian-Celtic connection that goes far back in history. Such motives even predate the Christian period and can be found on pagan ruins in Armenia. The art of carving sacred symbols on stone and erecting them is very ancient in Armenia. Such stones are known as Vishapakars (Dragon stones) http://www.gardmantour.com/f/551918f3784dc84705000016/w.jpg. These stones are dated all the way to the 3rd millennium BC and are believed to be the inspiration for the later Christian cross-stones known as Khachkars.
http://rcchd.icomos.org.ge/?l=E&m=4-4&JID=3&AID=26
As far as the Neolithic Revolution goes, Armenian Highlands are often considered one of the cradles of the Neolithic revolution from where domestication of animals and agriculture spread to the rest of Europe. And some of the worlds oldest monuments like the Göbekli Tepe temple (in today’s Turkey) is found exactly in this region. You can read more about the spread of agriculture from Armenia here: https://www.peopleofar.com/2013/12/15/spread-of-agriculture/
I should also note that both the Armenians and the Celts speak an Aryan (Indo-European) language, which is hypothesized to have originated around the Black Sea region (either bellow or above it). Read more about it here: https://www.peopleofar.com/2015/02/17/the-armenian-plateau-hypothesis-gains-in-plausibility/
————–
All the Khachkars are carved in Armenian, not Greek nor Cyrillic. The difference is in the fonts. During the middle ages the practice of calligraphy was quite popular and thus they developed many different fonts.
————–
I doubt the horsemen resemble the Ottoman cavalry they resemble more the traditional Armenian soldiers which looked more Byzantine than anything else really. Here is a rendering on a wall of an early 10th century church, predating Ottoman invasion of Armenia. http://c7.alamy.com/comp/DTR25C/the-cathedral-church-of-the-holy-cross-915-921-akhdamar-islamd-van-DTR25C.jpg
And here are some images from the Armenian infantry in the Byzantine employ.
https://www.peopleofar.com/2012/08/09/armenian-infantry-of-byzantine-army-ian-heath-2004/
Armenian cavalry actually has very old roots and was mentioned as such many times by classical authors including the fully armored horses known as the “cataphract” (the tank of the ancient world): https://www.peopleofar.com/2013/06/05/armenian-cataphract-189-bc-12-ad/
See also here: https://www.peopleofar.com/2013/02/14/armenian-and-parthian-cataphracts/
And here about the history of horse breading and riding in Armenia: https://www.peopleofar.com/2011/10/29/armenia-the-land-of-the-horse/
And here read number 10: https://www.peopleofar.com/2014/12/17/10-worlds-oldest-things-from-armenia/
And here for some historic quotes on horse breeding in Armenia: https://www.peopleofar.com/2011/11/24/historic-quotes-about-horse-breeding-in-armenia/
Or watch this video that summarizes it all basically:
——————
unfortunately, although most of these sites are “officially” under protection little is being done to really preserve them due to lack of funding and the inaccessibility of some of these mountainous forest regions where these monuments are found. Sometimes people dig up such cross-stones but there is no real effective program to preserve it. Recently both UNESCO and the EU has provided some funds though in order to preserve some of these sites but I’m not sure how successful these programs are. They still remain in danger and my guess is that much of it will disappear or get buried eventually. In fact one of these monasteries seen in these pictures was mentioned in 2014 among “Europe’s most threatened heritage” by the leading European heritage organisation Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank. https://www.peopleofar.com/2014/05/19/monastery-of-bardzrakash-st-gregory-in-armenia-among-europes-most-threatened-heritage/
So maybe someone will find some funds to preserve it, but for now I guess we’ll have to enjoy them as long as we can.
I hope this was helpful,
Take care!
Dear Sir/Madam
thank you for your very informative reply.
I feel a bit embarrassed because I should have done some more research before asking all those questions!
Your website is a very, very interesting slice of world history. I’ll be back to it often. Keep up the good work!
Sincerely,
Gary F
Beautiful reminders of a culture that is very alive in spite of the attempt to destroy it. Haunting. Crafted with skill. Untouched by time. The green of the forest only enhances the beauty in the art.