4th century temple discovery rewrites Armenia's Christian history
Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery that sheds new light on the beginnings of Christianity in Armenia. Researchers from the University of Münster, in collaboration with the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, have uncovered the ruins of a structure considered one of the world's oldest Christian temples. The research team announced this finding in a press release on October 11.
12:59 PM EDT, October 14, 2024
The church ruins, dating back to the 4th century AD, were discovered at the archaeological site of Artaxata on the Ararat Plain.
Artaxata, once the capital of the Kingdom of Armenia, has long been an archaeologist's subject of interest. Research has been ongoing in this area since 2018, but only recently have traces of a Christian temple been found.
Unique sacred structure from the 4th century
The discovered structure stands out with its distinctive octagonal shape with cross-like offshoots. Archaeologists, using geophysical methods, discovered and examined parts of the structure.
This find typologically corresponds to early Christian memorial edifices, – explained the research team from the University of Münster.
During the investigations, remains of wooden platforms were also discovered, which—through radiocarbon analysis—were dated to the mid-4th century.
The octagonal temple's floor was made of mortar and terracotta tiles, and its diameter was about 100 feet. Marble fragments, likely sourced from the Mediterranean region, were also among the finds, suggesting that the building was richly decorated.
Professor Achim Lichtenberger from the University of Münster, one of the researchers leading the study, highlighted the significance of this discovery:
The 4th-century structure is the oldest archaeologically documented church in Armenia—a sensational piece of evidence of early Christianity in this country.
Armenia — the cradle of Christianity
The discovery of the ancient church in Armenia is particularly significant, given the country's historical heritage. According to tradition, Armenia was the first state to adopt Christianity as its state religion. As researchers from the University of Münster explained, Gregory the Illuminator played a key role in this history by converting the King of Armenia, Tiridates III, to Christianity in 301 AD. This event made Armenia the world’s first Christian state.
The discovery is located near the medieval monastery of Khor Virap, which is an important symbol of this religious tradition.
Artaxata, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Armenia, was an important center during the Hellenistic period and served as the capital for nearly six centuries, – added the press release.
A new perspective on the history of Christianity
The discovery of a Christian temple in Armenia in the 4th century is an extremely valuable find that allows for a better understanding of the early history of Christianity in the region. This temple, serving as evidence of the development of the religion in one of the oldest Christian states, represents another piece of the puzzle, enabling us to reconstruct the beginnings of the faith that dominated Armenian culture.
The discovery in Artaxata will undoubtedly contribute to the deepening of research into early Christianity and Armenia's role in its spread. Scientists are planning further work at the site, which may lead to other sensational discoveries.
