Your trusted source

Astronomer Grigor Brutyan is in favor of the excavations in Armenia’s Zorats Karer (also called Karahunj, Qarahunj or Carahunge and Carenish) prehistoric archaeological site known as ‘Armenian Stonehenge’, but states they should be carried out ‘properly, in observance of all rules and without delays.’

According to the astronomer, who also heads Victor Hambardzumyan House-Museum, the group engaged in excavations should feature not only archaeologists, but also various other experts, including astronomers.

“The monument is supposed to have been used for different purposes, therefore different experts should have an opportunity to express their opinion,” he told Panorama.am. 

Brutyan said he had paid a visit to Zorats Karer last Wednesday, but has spotted no displaced stones in the site.   

Located in Armenia’s southernmost province, Zorats Karer, which dates back to around 5500 BC, consists of a prehistoric mausoleum and nearby, over two hundred neighboring large stone monoliths, eighty of which have distinctive, well-polished holes bored near their upper edge.

Excavations have been carried out in the archaeological site since 2014.