At an altitude of 1600 meters in the Syunik region of Armenia is the cave “Agithu-3”, which is tens of thousands of years old. Excavations show that it was actively used for 15,000 years, from 40,000 to 23,000 years ago, during the Upper Paleolithic era. These layers of the earth reflect the entire history of modern man, leaving valuable archaeological evidence of the life of our ancestors.
The cave complex, located on the left bank of the Vorotan River near the village of Agithu, is a unique historical site. Since 2009, an Armenian-German archaeological expedition has been conducting research here, as a result of which tens of thousands of artifacts have been discovered. Among the finds are animal bones, tools, fragments of ceramics, jewelry, burial accessories and even shells, presumably brought from the Persian Gulf.
Of particular value are the studies of seven caves, two of which turned out to be especially significant. The head of the Armenian expedition, research fellow at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia Boris Gasparyan, notes that the finds from the Agithu-3 cave shed light on important technological innovations of the Upper Paleolithic. At that time, humans mastered the technique of chipping long plates from stone cores, which made it possible to more effectively create tools such as knives and spearheads. Throwing darts, harpoons, fish hooks and bone needles, indicating sewing of clothes, appeared for the first time.
In addition to traces of human activity, signs of ancient volcanic eruptions were found in the cave. Geographical conditions forced ancient people to adapt to the difficult landscape. Among the finds were also obsidian tools, arrowheads, carving knives and a bone needle aged 26,000 years.
Agithu Caves in Ancient and Medieval Times
In addition to the Paleolithic layer, archaeologists have discovered two more cultural layers: ancient (1st century BC) and medieval (13th-14th centuries). According to Boris Gasparyan, if primitive people used the cave for housing, then in ancient times it became a sanctuary, which is confirmed by the tomb that was found. Of interest is the discovery of seven coins in the mouth of a human skull, which may indicate an ancient rite of payment for passage to the afterlife.
Another significant cave is “Agithu-7”. The same three cultural layers were discovered in it, but the upper layer remains a mystery. Researchers suggest that in the 13th-14th centuries, cult rites of unknown sectarians could have been held here. The phenomenon of using caves as sacred places even in the Middle Ages remains an unresolved issue. Despite the existence of temples and monasteries, caves continued to retain special significance in the spiritual life of people.
Future Research and Historical Significance
Above the cave complex on the hill is a fortress used in ancient and medieval periods. Excavations at this site may shed light on new aspects of the Silk Road, as the fortress was located on important trade routes. Archaeological research into the Agithu caves is ongoing, and its results have already been published in prestigious international scientific journals.
These ancient caves are an invaluable source of knowledge about the lives of people in different eras and confirm the importance of the territory of Armenia in the historical development of mankind.
Artatsolum
