The Armenian tribes that emerged in the Paleolithic era, with their rich hunting traditions, preserved legends and memories of their ancestors’ exploits. These ancestors, who retired to their special world, became powerful patron spirits. It is very possible that the majority of humanoid images in the rock paintings of the Geghama Mountains and other places represented consecrated, deified ancestors accompanied by star signs.
The Sky as the Ancestors’ Realm
For many peoples of the world, especially the aboriginal Armenians, the special world of their ancestors was the sky. They believed that their ancestors turned into constellations and, through their stellar existence, exerted a miraculous influence on the fate of the living tribe and each of its members 1.
Ancient Constellations and Armenian Influence
William Tyler Olcott, one of the greatest experts in astronomy, writes that the data of astronomy agree with historical and archaeological research. He suggests that the people who invented the ancient figures of the constellations probably lived in the Euphrates Valley and the region around Mount Ararat. Olcott emphasizes that the establishment of the signs of the zodiac dates back to 3000 BC and mentions the famous Maunder, who determined the final time of the designation of constellations.
Maunder believes that the people who divided the sky into constellations lived, in all probability, between 36 and 42 degrees northern latitude. This means that the birthplace of the designation of constellations could not have been Egypt or Babylon. By calculating where the center of this empty area coincides with the south pole, Maunder arrived at the date of 2800 BC, which is likely the date of completion of the ancient business of naming constellations.
Olcott further asserts that the birthplace of stellar figures could be Asia Minor and Armenia, the region bounded by the Black, Mediterranean, Caspian, and Aegean Seas.
Conclusion
The celestial legacy of the ancient Armenian tribes is a testament to their rich cultural heritage and their profound connection with the stars. The belief that their ancestors turned into constellations and influenced the fate of the living tribe highlights the deep spiritual and cultural significance of the sky in Armenian history. The contributions of Armenian tribes to the naming and understanding of constellations underscore their important role in the development of ancient astronomy.
1: History of the Armenian People (in Armenian), Vol. I, p. 258. : William Tyler Olcott. Legends of the Star World, St. Petersburg, 1914.
Artatsolum
Based on the research of rock paintings of Armenia Prof. G. Vaganyan, Ph.D. in Art V. Vaganyan
