Categories: CultureNews

SOS – The Systematic Destruction of the Ancient Karahunj Observatory

Today, the efforts of many cultural, scientific, and political figures with world names are contributing to the recognition of Armenia. This is evidenced by numerous publications in media all around the world.

Results of archaeological excavations and DNA analyses carried out in Armenia have been published in such editions as the scientific journal Nature, The New York Times, BBC, and in many other renowned media resources.

But in the meantime, in the territory of Syunik Province in Armenia, with the full connivance of the Ministry of Culture of Armenia and the Armenian government are carried out “archaeological excavations” that are destroying the ancient monument and observatory Karahunj, also known as the Armenian Stonehenge.

This artifact is important not only because it is thousands of years old but also because it attests to a connection between various civilizations around the globe: similar structures have been found outside Armenia as well.

Why and who does something that is endangering the monument? Against the background of a heightened interest towards Karahunj – mainly thanks to the efforts of Armenian scientist Paris Herouni – some individuals considering themselves academic scientists propagandize that Karahunj is actually just an ancient burial ground, even though it has been established that it had been an ancient observatory.

The theory of Paris Herouni that Karahunj had been an ancient observatory was confirmed by leading academicians from around the globe. Karahunj was even included into National Geographic’s list of top ancient observatories.

Thereby, all the “scientific statements” of the aforementioned “academic scientists” were, in fact, rejected, forcing them to resort to extreme measures, that is, wiping out Karahunj, the oldest observatory known to mankind.

Another version is that someone needed the territory to build a restaurant or whatnot in it. To do that, the “scientists” are promoting that Karahunj is merely a burial ground and doesn’t have any significant value.

And the last version is that those scientists have been bribed to undermine the identity, history, and culture of Armenia.

by Vigen Avetisyan

Excavations in ancient areas with a crane and an excavator
Excavations in ancient areas with a crane and an excavator
Ashot Piliposyan – Excavation Organizer
Stones may to falll at any time. Due to dug deep holes
Stones may to falll at any time. Due to dug deep holes
Traces of vandalism on the stones of the ancient observatory
Traces of vandalism on the stones of the ancient observatory
Traces of vandalism on the stones of the ancient observatory
Traces of vandalism on the stones of the ancient observatory
Traces of vandalism on the stones of the ancient observatory
Traces of vandalism on the stones of the ancient observatory

More Photos and films

Vigen Avetisyan

Recent Posts

Clowns of War: The Strange Battlefield Legacy of Medieval Armenian Theater

Long before "clown" became a synonym for children's birthday parties, the word described a hardened…

13 hours ago

Dura-Europos and Ancient Armenia: A Crossroads of Priests, Inscriptions, and the Cult of Mithra

Introduction The fresco reproduced above — three white-robed priests, one wearing a tall conical hat,…

6 days ago

From Lake Van to Yerevan: The Bronze Helmet of Urartu, the First Armenia

The crested bronze helmet on the left of this comparison was not made by a…

2 weeks ago

A Tower Crowned by a Lion-Rider: Reading a Bronze Age Cult Vessel Through the Lens of the Armenian Highlands

A small, weathered piece of fired clay — barely 31 centimeters tall — sits today…

2 weeks ago

A Hand Reaching Through Three Millennia: The Bronze Pendant from Yeghvard

Pendant (Amulet) in the Shape of a Human Hand | 7th–6th centuries BC | Yeghvard…

3 weeks ago

Duduk (Tsiranapogh): The Ancient Voice of Armenia from the Bronze Age to UNESCO Heritage

Introduction The duduk (Armenian: դուդուկ)—traditionally known as tsiranapogh (ծիրանափող, “apricot-wood pipe”)—is one of the most…

4 weeks ago