Antiquities

How Armenia Became a Cradle of Animal Domestication

The domestication of farm animals is one of the most important achievements of human civilization. It enabled people to produce more food, clothing, and other resources, as well as to develop new forms of social organization, culture, and religion. But where and when did this process begin? And what role did Armenia play in it?

According to archaeological and genetic evidence, some of the earliest domesticated animals originated in or near the Armenian Highlands, a mountainous region that covers parts of present-day Armenia, Turkey, Iran, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. This region is rich in biodiversity and natural resources, and has been inhabited by humans since the Paleolithic era.

Some of the animals that were first domesticated in this region include:

Sheep: Sheep were probably domesticated from the wild mouflon, a type of mountain sheep, around 11,000 years ago. The earliest evidence of sheep domestication comes from the Neolithic sites of Çayönü and Hallan Çemi in southeastern Turkey, near the border with Armenia. Sheep provided meat, milk, wool, and leather for the ancient people, and were also used for sacrifices and rituals.
Goats: Goats were also domesticated from the wild bezoar, a type of mountain goat, around the same time as sheep. The earliest evidence of goat domestication comes from the Neolithic site of Ganj Dareh in western Iran, also near the border with Armenia. Goats provided similar products and functions as sheep, but were more adaptable to harsh environments and could browse on a wider range of plants.
Cattle: Cattle were domesticated from the wild aurochs, a large and fierce bovine, around 10,500 years ago. The earliest evidence of cattle domestication comes from the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük in central Turkey, not far from the Armenian Highlands. Cattle provided meat, milk, leather, and horn, and were also used for plowing, transportation, and warfare.
Pigs: Pigs were domesticated from the wild boar, a widespread and omnivorous animal, around 9,000 years ago¹. The earliest evidence of pig domestication comes from the Neolithic site of Jarmo in northeastern Iraq, close to the Armenian Highlands. Pigs provided meat, fat, and leather, and were also used for scavenging and waste disposal.

The domestication of these animals had a profound impact on the economic, social, and cultural life of the people in the Armenian Highlands and beyond. It allowed them to settle in permanent villages, cultivate crops, and trade with other regions. It also influenced their religious beliefs, artistic expressions, and mythological traditions. For example, some of the ancient Armenian gods and goddesses were associated with animals, such as Aramazd, the father of the gods, who was depicted as a bull, or Anahit, the goddess of fertility, who was depicted as a cow. Some of the ancient Armenian festivals and rituals also involved animals, such as Navasard, the new year celebration, which included animal sacrifices and games.

The domestication of animals also affected the development of new systems of chronology and astronomy in the Armenian Highlands. The ancient Armenians divided the year into 12 months, each named after a different animal, such as Areg (lamb), Hrot (pig), or Margats (ape). They also observed the movements of the stars and planets, and named some of them after animals, such as Gisheravar (night wolf), the Armenian name for Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.

Thus, the Armenian Highlands can be considered as one of the cradles of animal domestication, a process that changed the course of human history and civilization. The animals that were domesticated in this region not only provided material benefits, but also shaped the cultural and spiritual identity of the ancient and modern Armenians.

Artatsolum