The Origins of Astronomical Knowledge – Petroglyphs of Armenia

One theory claims that the most ancient centers of astronomical knowledge were the territories of Armenia and Asia Minor. Prominent historians and astronomers concluded that people who divided the sky into constellations have lived between 36 and 42 degrees of northern latitude.

According to English astronomer Olcott, people who invented the ancient figures of the constellations have supposedly lived in the region of Mount Ararat, as well as in the valley of the Euphrates River.

This assumption is justified by the findings of petroglyphs (cave paintings) in the territory of Armenia. In particular, in 1966, about 30,000 cave paintings were discovered first in the Gegham Mountains and later on the Vardenis ridge and on the slopes of Mount Aragats.

In 1967, 3 more ancient objects were found in the Vardenis mountains, the significance of which according to some researchers – in particular, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences B. Tumanyan – boiled down to the following: these are stone witnesses to the astronomical thought of our distant ancestors.

The emergence and formation of astronomical science in ancient Armenia were due to the development of mining and metallurgy. Among the countries of the Ancient East, Armenia stood out with its highly developed metallurgy. In Armenia have been smelted copper, bronze, silver, tin, zinc, gold, and steel (iron). The development of metallurgy gave an impetus to many branches of science, production, culture, and art.

The culture of petroglyphs in Ancient Armenia was inextricably linked with the culture of the Ancient World. Constellation maps, lunar calendars, and “open-air art galleries” were created by very educated people of the time — priests-scientists, artists, and stone carvers.

Types of Petroglyphs

Petroglyphs depicting the following scenes were discovered in the territory of Armenia:

1. Hunting scenes.
2. Pictograms.
3. Ideograms.
4. Cosmic phenomena.
5. Astronomical concepts.
6. Constellations.
7. Symbolic signs.
8. Celestial (astronomical) symbols.
9. Mythical heroes.
10. Animals.
11. Fantastic animals.
12. Fantastic people.
13. Anthropomorphs.
14. Depictions of the cult of the moon.
15. Depictions of the cult of the sun.
16. Depictions of the cult of Serpens.
17. Depictions of the cult of Draco.
18. Depictions of the cult of goats.
19. Depictions of the cult of deer.
20. Depictions of the cult of Pisces.
21. Depictions of the cult of water birds.
22. Depictions of the cult of the Bull (Taurus).
23. Scenes of life.
24. Scenes of war.
25. Depictions of the cult of water.
26. Depictions of the cult of Capricorn.
27. Depictions of the fight of serpents.
28. Ideas about life on Earth.
29. Depictions of maternity.
30. Depictions of family.
31. Taming of leopards.
32. Taming of elephants.
33. Synodic calendars.
34. Solar calendars.
35. Taming of horses.
36. The proximity of Greek-Armenian mythology.
37. The Greek and Armenian Alphabets
38. The spread of the swastika.
39. The semantics of Armenian petroglyphs in comparison with petroglyphs of other regions and continents.
40. Petroglyphs, primary sources in the creation of alphabetical writing of some peoples.

Locations of petroglyphs

Vardenis ridge

• The oldest astronomical center at the foot of Mount Sevsar in the Martuni district.
• Maps of the constellations on the ancient caravan route at the Selim Pass.
• Sculptural sculpture of the Lunar surface in the valley of the Selim Pass.
• Remains of star charts on both sides of the caravan route.

Geghama mountains

• Cyclopic fortress on Mount Claberd.
• Lunar calendars.
• Astronomical signs and concepts.
• Ciphered cosmological pictogram.
• Constellations of Bull and Hayk.
• Various images of swastikas – symbols of the Sun.
• Images of dragons, symbols of evil forces, and Draco (constellation),
• Images of a dragon spewing flames, Vahagn, Cygnus, and Lyra. In their likeness, they personify the constellations corresponding to their appearance.
• Images of the globe and the Earth’s hemispheres.
• Cosmic phenomena, the Earth’s hemispheres, the surroundings of Serpens.

Mount Paytasar

• Images of planets and celestial bodies.
• Images of the globe with humans-antipodes.
• Images of the constellations Cepheus, Draco, Taurus, Corona Borealis, Cygnus, Lyra, Pegasus, and others.
• Images of swastikas-anthropomorphs.
• Images of the constellations of Draco, the Sun, the Moon, Ursa Major, and others.
• Images of Primeval Chaos, the Globe, and the Animal World.
• Mythical-astronomical images.
• Image of the monthly lunar calendar.

Petroglyphs in Republic of Armenia / HD / Welcome to Armenia

Oldest Petroglyphs,Cradle Of Civilization