Armenian archaeologists have discovered the remains of an early Christian church in the ruins of the ancient city of Artaxata.
Preliminary reconstruction of the early Christian church of Artaxata. Image credit: Armenian-German Arttaxata project.
ArtaxataThe main city of ancient Armenia, also known as Artashat, served as the capital of the Kingdom of Armenia from its founding in 176 BC to 120 AD.
Founded during the reign of Artaxias I (Artashes), the city is located on the left bank of the Arax River, in modern-day Ararat province of Armenia.
Artaxata was destroyed and rebuilt several times between the 1st and 5th centuries AD, but was eventually abandoned.
“According to legend, Gregory the Enlightener converted the Armenian king Tiridates III to Christianity at Artaxata in 301 AD, making Armenia the first Christian state in the world,” said Professor Achim Lichtenberger, an archaeologist at the University of Münster. said the colleague.
“The medieval monastery of Khor Villap, located very close to the newly discovered church, is a reminder of this tradition.”
“Artaxata served as the capital of the Armenian kingdom ruled by the Artaxiads and Arsacusids.”
“The city developed into an important metropolis during the Hellenistic period and was the capital of the Kingdom of Armenia for almost six centuries.”
Early Christian churches were built on stately columns. Image credit: Armenian-German Arttaxata project.
The newly discovered Christian church is an octagonal building with a cross-shaped extension.
The building was approximately 30 meters in diameter and was simply constructed with mortar floors and terracotta tiles.
Marble imported from the Mediterranean was also used lavishly.
Professor Lichtenberger and his colleagues from the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia and the University of Münster discovered the remains of a wooden platform in an extension approximately 30 meters in diameter, which they radiocarbonly date to the mid-4th century AD. .
“The fourth-century building is the oldest archaeologically recorded church in the country and is sensational evidence of early Christianity in Armenia,” Professor Lichtenberger said.
Dr. Mukrtich Zardarian, an archaeologist at the Armenian National Academy of Sciences, said: “Octagonal churches were previously unknown here, but we are well-known in the Eastern Mediterranean region, where they first appeared in the 4th century AD. I did,” he added.
“Typologically, this find corresponds to an early Christian monument.”
The researchers said, “We plan to continue the excavation and hope to make new discoveries, including the question of who this church was dedicated to.''
Source: www.sci.news
