• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Archaeology

Armenia’s oldest known Christian church discovered

by Dario Radley
October 13, 2024

A joint Armenian-German research team of archaeologists from the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia and the University of Münster in Germany has unearthed the remains of a previously unknown early Christian church in the ancient city of Artaxata, near the modern-day city of Artashat in Armenia.

Armenia's oldest known Christian church discovered
A preliminary reconstruction shows the late antique church of Artaxata. Credit: Armenian-German Artaxata Project

The church, an octagonal structure with cruciform extensions, is believed to date back to the 4th century CE, making it the oldest archaeologically documented church in Armenia. This remarkable find was announced by Professor Achim Lichtenberger of the University of Münster, who described the discovery as “sensational evidence for early Christianity in Armenia.” Dr. Mkrtich H. Zardaryan of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, who co-led the research, added that octagonal churches were previously unknown in Armenia, but were common in the Eastern Mediterranean during the 4th century CE.

The octagonal building, which spans approximately 30 meters in diameter, features a simple mortar floor and terracotta tiles. The team discovered remains of wooden platforms in the church’s cross-shaped extensions, which were radiocarbon dated to the mid-4th century CE. Fragments of marble, imported from the Mediterranean, suggest that the church was once lavishly decorated.

The church’s location in Artaxata is historically significant. According to tradition, Gregory the Illuminator converted the Armenian King Tiridates III to Christianity in Artaxata in 301 CE. This event marked Armenia as the first Christian state in the world, a milestone that still resonates in the country’s religious and cultural history. The nearby medieval monastery of Khor Virap, a well-known pilgrimage site, stands as a reminder of this heritage, situated close to the newly discovered church.

Armenia's oldest known Christian church discovered
The team has discovered the oldest archaeologically documented church in Armenia. The octagonal building rested on imposing pillars. Credit: Armenian-German Artaxata Project

Artaxata, also known as Artashat, was once the capital of the Kingdom of Armenia under the Artaxiad and Arsacid dynasties. The name of the city has Iranian roots and can be interpreted as “the joy of Arta,” with “Arta” meaning truth. It developed into a major metropolis during the Hellenistic period and remained the capital for nearly six centuries. The Armenian-German team has been studying the Hellenistic settlement of Artaxata since 2018 as part of a broader research project.

RelatedStories

1,500-year-old African-style figurines found in southern Israel reveal ancient trade links

Rare 1,500-year-old African-style figurines unearthed in southern Israel reveal ancient trade links

May 15, 2025
Ancient Roman baths transformed into early Christian church unearthed near Rome

Ancient Roman baths transformed into early Christian church unearthed near Rome

May 12, 2025

The recent discovery highlights the significance of Artaxata in the spread of early Christianity and the cultural connections between Armenia and the broader Mediterranean world. The church’s architectural design, specifically its octagonal shape, is a key point of interest for researchers, as it mirrors structures found in the Eastern Mediterranean during the same period. This architectural style had not been previously documented in Armenia.

The team’s excavation work, which began in September, is ongoing, with researchers hoping to determine to whom the church was dedicated. “We are eager to continue our exploration and to better understand the role this church played in early Christian Armenia,” said Professor Lichtenberger. The discovery offers fresh perspectives on the region’s architectural and cultural exchanges with the Mediterranean.


Stay updated with us! Follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Twitter, and Linkedin, and join our WhatsApp and Telegram channels for the latest in archaeology, all directly on your favorite platforms!
Share2Tweet1ShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

maya-collapse-was-transformation-
Anthropology

Ancient DNA reveals Maya collapse was a transformation, not extinction

June 1, 2025
Oldest whale bone tools discovered in Europe reveal Stone Age humans used marine resources 20,000 years ago
Archaeology

Oldest whale bone tools discovered in Europe reveal Stone Age humans used marine resources 20,000 years ago

May 31, 2025
Roman burial of infant twins in Croatia linked to lead poisoning
Anthropology

Roman burial of infant twins in Croatia linked to lead poisoning

May 31, 2025
18th-century gold mourning ring unearthed in Norfolk field by detectorist
Archaeology

18th-century gold mourning ring unearthed in Norfolk field by detectorist

May 30, 2025
Three ancient Egyptian tombs unearthed near Luxor reveal secrets of New Kingdom elite
Archaeology

Three ancient Egyptian tombs unearthed near Luxor reveal secrets of New Kingdom elite

May 30, 2025
43,000-year-old Neanderthal fingerprint discovered on stone is the world's oldest
Archaeology

43,000-year-old Neanderthal fingerprint discovered on stone is the world’s oldest

May 30, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
105K

Threads
42K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

May 17, 2025
Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

May 28, 2025
Stunning 1,600-year-old Byzantine mosaic unveiled in the Negev Desert of Israel

Stunning 1,600-year-old Byzantine mosaic unveiled in the Negev Desert of Israel

May 27, 2025
Silver amulet unearthed in Frankfurt grave Is the oldest evidence of Christianity north of the Alps

Silver amulet unearthed in Frankfurt grave Is the oldest evidence of Christianity north of the Alps

December 15, 2024
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

maya-collapse-was-transformation-

Ancient DNA reveals Maya collapse was a transformation, not extinction

June 1, 2025
Oldest whale bone tools discovered in Europe reveal Stone Age humans used marine resources 20,000 years ago

Oldest whale bone tools discovered in Europe reveal Stone Age humans used marine resources 20,000 years ago

May 31, 2025
Roman burial of infant twins in Croatia linked to lead poisoning

Roman burial of infant twins in Croatia linked to lead poisoning

May 31, 2025
18th-century gold mourning ring unearthed in Norfolk field by detectorist

18th-century gold mourning ring unearthed in Norfolk field by detectorist

May 30, 2025
Three ancient Egyptian tombs unearthed near Luxor reveal secrets of New Kingdom elite

Three ancient Egyptian tombs unearthed near Luxor reveal secrets of New Kingdom elite

May 30, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.