Armenia
10th century graveyard at the Yezidi village of Kuchak.
At the village of Kuchak a 10th century Yezidi graveyard lies next to the road, about 20 small stone horses. No more than 2 feet high, the horses resemble stone horses found from the Han Dynasty in China, or Mongolian monument stones from the medieval period.
Armenia
Carahunge Armenia's Stone Henge (Zorats Karer).
In the mountains of nowadays Armenia (in the south, close to town Goris), the first observatory Carahunge (Car-means stone, hunge-means voice, sound) was created. It has a history of 7.500 years and scientists believe, that there is a tight connection between the observatory in Armenia and Stonehenge in Britain, since the latter is much younger (about 4000 years) and the name itself is similar to the Armenian name and the second half of the name (hange) does not really mean anything in English.
This prehistoric Monument consisting of hundreds of Standing Stones on a territorial area of approximately 7 hectares. Many of these stones have smooth angled holes of 4 to 5cm in diameter, the angles of the holes being directed at different points on the horizon and outer space. The age of Carahunge has been estimated to be 7500 years or older (VI millennium BC). This was accurately ascertained by taking readings of the motion of the Sun, Moon and stars, using four independent astronomical methods based on the laws of the changes of the Earth’s axis precession and incline.
Armenia
Khatchkars at the church at Amberd Castle. A domed church built in 1026 by the glorious army leader Vahram Pahlavouni rises between the castle and the end of the promontory, almost against the wall following the course of the river Arkashian.
Armenia
The Garni Temple.
The architectural complex of Garni was Armenia's foremost center of Hellenistic culture and the summer residence of Armenian kings. It was a fortress in the 3rd century BC and a heathen temple in the 1st century AD. A pagan temple was unearthed in 1909-1911.
Armenia
A number of the stones at Karahunj have holes carved in them, for observing planets, stars etc. Apparently the stones to carve these holes were brought from Iran, as the stones in Armenia weren't strong enough to do this.
