In the ninth century BC, the Urartu Kingdom evolved in the mountainous areas of today's Armenia. This epoch is represented on the territory of Armenia through a smattering of splendid works of architecture - the ruins of as Argishtikhinili, Erebuni and Teyshebaini. Recent excavations have revealed large fortifications and extensive habitations and produced unique articles of Urartian art, on view in the State Museum of Armenian History and the Hermitage (Leningrad).
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While Teyshebaini was simply an imposing fortress an Urartu stronghold on the hillside of Karmir-Blur, founded in the 7th century BC, Erebuni acted as a military and administrative centre, founded in the last quarter of the 8th century BC by the king Argishti.
Stone cutting has been a hallmark of Armenian architecture and design throughout the centuries. A tradition of stone cutting and stone construction dates back to this early Urartian period. Finest examples can be seen at Erebuni and other Urartian sites. Pagan, Hellenistic fine monuments are
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· The settlement of the Early Humans - 178 000 mil. BC
· Camps of primitive civilisations
· The rock carvings - 6 mil. BC
· Fields of Dolmens and Menghirs in Sissian and
Goris (Zangezour) - 5-4 mil. BC
· The prehistoric observatories - Karahunge 5 mil. BC and
Metsamor 2 mil. BC
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· Neolithic settlements of Metsamor, Shengavit, Ltchashen 4-3 mil. BC
· Priceless historical and national treasures of rich museum collections:
Museum of History of Armenia, Matenadaran (the world's largest repository of
Ancient Manuscripts), Etchmiatsin Cathedral Museum, Ethnographic Museum in
Sardarapat and Metsamor.
· The medieval centre of science and culture - Universities of Gladzor, Tatev,
Vorotnavank, etc. (13-17cc)
· The greatest libraries of the oldest Monasteries - Haghpat, Sanahin, Geghard,
etc. |
· Urartian sites and fortresses, numerous cuneiform
writings - 1 mil. BC
· Towns and monuments of pagan period - Garni, Dvin,
Armavir
· Historical monuments of Christian Period from 301 AD
to the present time |
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