During excavations at the Lchashen settlement, located in the coastal zone of Lake Sevan, archaeologists made a remarkable discovery: a boat found in one of the tombs, believed to date back to the second millennium BC. This vessel, hollowed out from an oak tree trunk, provides a fascinating glimpse into the ancient maritime practices of the region.
Discoveries in Karchaghbyur
In the village of Karchaghbyur, another significant find was made: a clay model of a boat dating back to the sixth century BC. According to archaeologist Bori Gasparyan, this is the oldest model of a boat in the world, made six thousand years ago from obsidian. Gasparyan suggests that this model symbolizes a vessel with ritual significance, possibly a miniature representation of Noah’s Ark, a legend passed down through generations.
Evidence of Ancient Shipping
While the ancient boats themselves have not survived, other evidence points to active shipping on Lake Sevan. Numerous stone anchors and sinkers for fishing nets have been found on land at the northwestern end of the lake, indicating the presence of a safe haven for ships. These findings suggest that the length of boats used at that time was at least 10 meters, and rowing was the primary method of movement.
Artistic Depictions
The history of ancient navigation on Lake Sevan is further evidenced by the paintings of many Armenian artists from the last and previous centuries. These artworks depict sailing ships on the lake, highlighting the long-standing tradition of maritime activity in the region.
2 thoughts on “Ancient Boats of Lake Sevan: A Glimpse into Armenia’s Maritime History”
I would like to find out more [i.e. papers, images, etc.] about the obsidian boat model mentioned in the section “Discoveries in Karchaghbyur”. It says that archaeologist Bori Gasparyan thinks this “the oldest model of a boat in the world, made six thousand years ago,” which he speculates is a vessel with ritual significance, “possibly a miniature representation of Noah’s Ark.” I am interested in ancient nautical history and potential connections with the Mesopotamian Utna Pishtim and biblical Noah flood stories. Could these stories originate from a fairly quick water level rise in landlocked Lake Van, and perhaps also in Lake Urmia and/or Lake Sevan, around 6500 years ago (4500 B.C.E.)? Has anyone considered this theory?
Archaeologists’ calculations are based on facts, and it is essential to consider that there are no finds from an earlier period. Bori Gasparyan should keep this in mind. The information that interests you, me, and many others is likely scattered across various resources.
In Armenian, lakes Van, Sevan, and Kaputan (Urmia) are referred to as “tsov,” which means sea. The ancient Armenian language holds many answers to the questions that intrigue us. Unfortunately, many names have been distorted, either by mistake or intentionally. For example, the Turks translated all Armenian names into Turkish without much thought.
The name Utna Pishtim is likely also distorted and attributed to one person. In Armenian, “urnapasht” means “one who worships eight.” This term might not refer to a single individual but rather a caste of priests or something similar. This observation is not unique to me.
In summary, the ancient Armenian language likely contains many answers, including those related to undeciphered cuneiform writings found in the Armenian Highlands, throughout the Middle East, and ancient Mesopotamia.