Armenia’s historical roots date back to the remotest past of the Middle East. Armenia came out on the historical stage as a direct heir to the old Eastern civilizations, as a successor to their social-political, cultural and spiritual wealth and traditions. Armenia’s place and role in the political system of the East lies in the […]
Copper
In Ancient Greece copper and bronze were called “khalkos” from the root “khalk.” According to linguists, this corresponds to “Hayk,” the name the Armenians gave to their country. The names “Hayos,” and “Ayas” that were given to copper by the Indians, Iranians, Germans and other Indo-European nations, are also connected with the name of the […]
Metsamor
Metsamor, one of the ancient monuments of the Armenian Plateau, is situated in the enter of the Ararat Valley, 30 kilometres west of Yerevan, not far from the spring of the River Metsamor. Excavations confirm that people settled in this valley with abundant water sources, hunting grounds and pastures seven thousand years ago. The Metsamor Castle was founded on a […]
Sun Dials
By watching the course and disposition of the luminary in the firmament even the Stone Age man determined the hours of the day. Shadows cast by natural stone obelisks and the protruding erected bodies played significant role. Studying the semicircular path of a shadow from sunrise to sunset and dividing it into equal parts man took the […]
Armenian Highland
“I do not know if I will write a novel about Armenia, but Armenia wrote a novel in my heart.” These words belong to the international best – selling author Paulo Coelho, who was much impressed visiting Armenia in October 2004. When he was asked about his impressions of the city, he said that the […]
Karashamb Cup
This masterpiece of the Old Eastern decorative-applied art was found in Karashamb of Yeghvard region of Kotayk marz (province) of the Republic of Armenia, during the excavation of the “Royal” Mausoleum, which dates to the 22nd – 21st centuries B.C. In the countries of the Old East, during the festive ceremonies, a special place was paid […]
The gospel of Haghpat
The gospel of Haghpat has its unique place among the 13th century manuscripts of Matenadaran (N6288). It was written and had been preserved in Haghpat Monastery for many years, by the name of which it is known today. The manuscript was reproduced in 1211 on the order of two wealthy brothers: Sahak and Araqel, then it […]
Rustam Raza – Great Emperor’s Bodyguard
Roustam Raza – the most devoted person who accompanied the great emperor during fourteen years of his life was an Armenian. Roustam Raza, Bonaparte’s famous mamluk bodyguard, was born in Tbilisi, Georgia to Armenian parents. At thirteen Roustam was kidnapped and sold as a slave in Cairo. The Turks gave him the name Idzhahia. The sheikh of […]
Vordan Karmir (Carmine) from Ararat
During centuries Armenia has been famous for its paint called “vordan karmir”. In many of Greek and Roman sources the paint exported from Armenia was considered to be the best. It was called «arqayakan tsirani» (the purple or Royal Red) with which royal and princely clothes were painted. The paint vordan karmir is obtained from the […]
Armenian herbs in Medieval Manuscripts
When today’s various tablets and medicines did not exist yet, since the oldest times human beings have been using natural mediums-herbs, to cure different diseases. Still in the 3rd millennium B.C., herbs were used in Ancient Egypt, Assyria, India, China. Armenia is rich in herbs. Armenian physicians of the Middle Ages knew the qualities of herbs […]