Archaeologists in Armenia have found the stays of an early Christian church on the website of the traditional metropolis of Artaxata.
A preliminary reconstruction of the early Christian church of Artaxata. Picture credit score: Armenian-German Artaxata Venture.
Artakhataalso referred to as Artashat, was a significant metropolis of historic Armenia that served because the capital of the Kingdom of Armenia from its founding in 176 BCE to 120 CE.
Based throughout reign of King Artaxias I (Artashes), the town is positioned within the Ararat province of modern-day Armenia, on the left financial institution of the Araks River.
Artaxata was destroyed and rebuilt a number of instances from the first to the fifth centuries CE, earlier than lastly being deserted.
“In line with legend, Gregory the Illuminator transformed the Armenian king Tiridates III to Christianity in Artaxata in 301 CE, making Armenia the primary Christian state on the earth,” mentioned Professor Achim Lichtenberger, an archaeologist on the College of Münster, and his colleagues.
“The medieval monastery of Khor Virap, only a stone’s throw from the now-discovered church, is a reminder of this custom.”
“Artaxata served because the capital of the Kingdom of Armenia, dominated by the Artaxiad and Arsacid dynasties.”
“The town developed into an essential metropolis within the Hellenistic interval and was the capital of the Kingdom of Armenia for nearly six centuries.”
The early Christian church rested on imposing pillars. Picture credit score: Armenian-German Artaxata Venture.
The newly-discovered Christian church is an octagonal constructing with cruciform extensions.
The constructing was round 30 m in diameter, and had a easy mortar ground and terracotta tiles.
It was additionally lavishly embellished with marble imported from the Mediterranean.
Within the round 30 m in diameter, extensions, Professor Lichtenberger and co-authors from the Nationwide Academy of Sciences of Armenia and the College of Münster uncovered the stays of wood platforms, which have been radiocarbon dated to the mid-4th century CE.
“The 4th century constructing is the oldest archaeologically documented church within the nation — sensational proof for early Christianity in Armenia,” Professor Lichtenberger mentioned.
“Octagonal church buildings have been unknown right here till now, however we’re very aware of them from the Japanese Mediterranean area, the place they first appeared within the 4th century CE,” added Dr. Mkrtich Zardaryan, an archaeologist on the Nationwide Academy of Sciences of Armenia.
“Typologically, the discover corresponds to early Christian memorial buildings.”
“We plan to proceed the excavations and hope to make new discoveries, together with the query of to whom the church was devoted,” the researchers mentioned.