Lernakert Archaeological Complex

Name: Lernakert Archaeological Complex
Monument type: Residence
Region: Shirak Province
Periods: Prehistoric

Name: Lernakert Archaeological Complex

Other nomination: Lernakert

Monument type: Fortress

Region: Shirak

Community: Lernakert

Residence: Lernakert

Location: Lernakert – a village in Shirak region, on the north-western slope of Aragats mountain, 1980m above the sea level (former: Sirvanjugh, Shirvanjugh).

Preservation: Ruined excavation site

Coordinates: N40,33.300, E43, 55.870

Elevation: 2019 m

Era and chronology: The ancient site is multi-layered. As a result of the exploratory and archaeological works, the settlement stages of the area were revealed. The earliest refers to the stages of the productive economy formation (New Stone Age, Copper stone Age) (VIII-VI millennia BC). The cultural layer of the ancient site also includes the early Bronze Age (IV-III millennia BC), the middle Bronze Age (XX-XVI centuries BC), the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages (XIV-IX centuries BC). Urartu is presented in Aghtamir with the VIII-VI century BC cultural layer. The existence of post-Urartian, antique and medieval periods in Aghtamir is evidenced both by the appearance of above-ground pottery objects and structures.

Lernakert: Where Echoes of Millennia Speak

As you venture into the remote heights of Shirak, Armenia, the village of Lernakert emerges as a living testament to Armenia’s ancient past. This historical enclave, known for its multi-layered archaeological complexity, weaves together a rich tapestry of human civilization that spans thousands of years.

Here, amidst the sprawling fortress ruins and burial grounds, this site invites you to walk the footsteps of ancient farmers, hunters, and craftsmen, serving as a vital window into the nation’s past.

Perched on the northwestern slope of the majestic Aragats mountain, some 1980 meters above sea level, the Lernakert archaeological complex, also known simply as Lernakert, invites you to uncover the secrets of Armenia’s rich past. Nestled within the Shirak region, this fortress ruins are a testament to the nation’s deep-rooted history.

Lernakert, a village in the Shirak region, rests upon a site that holds multilayered echoes of time. As exploratory and archaeological works continue, these layers unveil a fascinating history. The site’s earliest layers harken back to the productive economy formation during the New Stone Age and Copper Stone Age, dating from the VIII to VI millennia BC. The cultural layers encompass the early Bronze Age (IV-III millennia BC), the middle Bronze Age (XX-XVI centuries BC), the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages (XIV-IX centuries BC), and even the Urartian period (VIII-VI century BC). Post-Urartian, antique, and medieval influences have also left their mark on the site.

What makes Lernakert a site of immense significance is its role in the broader understanding of Armenian culture. It serves as a pivotal location to study landscape changes, fortress and settlement morphology, and chronological observations from the 1st to 3rd centuries. This site is not just an archaeological treasure but an essential component of the region’s defense and trade systems.

The Lernakert archaeological complex includes the Variberd or Hokhe’s fortress-residence, along with a sprawling burial ground. It’s located 1.2 kilometers northwest of the village, perched at a lofty 2019 meters above sea level. The area covers approximately 6.5 hectares. The preserved stone walls, some rising to heights of 1.6-2 meters, border the triangular top of the hill, within which one can discern traces of multifaceted structures.

The eastern slope of the hill is divided into three distinct platforms, marked by walls, while the northwestern slope is similarly guarded by high walls. The cultural layers found within the VB settlement extend as deep as 3.15 meters. Structures with rectangular double-rowed walls, circular tower-like buildings, and “wheel-shaped” constructions with adjoining cells are scattered across the site.

The sprawling burial ground stretches on the western and northern slopes of the castle, punctuated by stone rings and earthen cells, adding depth to the historical narrative. The site has witnessed several stages of settlement, beginning with the VB settlement in the XXIX-XXVI centuries BC, followed by the UB burial ground in the XV-XIV centuries BC, and the VE castle and its settlement from the XII-X centuries BC.

Just 1.5 kilometers from Variberd, atop a flat-surfaced hill, lies Veriberd or Simo Berd. This impressive fortress extends over 11.3 hectares, featuring defensive towers and battlements. The jagged protrusions create a formidable defense system, with the citadel located in the eastern corner, separated from the main castle by a rampart. Veriberd’s foundation dates back to the VII century (XIV-XIII centuries BC), and its final stage corresponds to the ancient period, from 364-204 BC.

Materials uncovered from the UB and VE periods within the Veriberd Castle include black, wavy, and nail-shaped pottery fragments, obsidian tools, bronze items, and more. The site’s burial grounds, scattered around the two fortresses of Lernakert, house individual, couple, and group burials. The earthen cells, stone box burials, and slab tombs reveal diverse burial traditions spanning various periods.

Lernakert is not just an archaeological complex; it’s a treasure trove of history, offering a glimpse into the thriving civilizations of yesteryears. As you explore its rugged terrain and crumbled walls, you’ll find the footprints of ancient farmers, hunters, traders, and craftsmen. Lernakert is a portal to a time long gone, where the whispers of history beckon you to unravel the enigmas of Armenia’s rich past.

FACTS

❈ Lernakert, situated on the northwestern slope of Aragats mountain at 1980 meters above sea level, is a fortress ruins complex that reveals Armenia’s rich history, with layers dating back to the New Stone Age.

❈ This site offers insights into various periods, including the early Bronze Age, middle Bronze Age, Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages, Urartian period, and later influences, making it an essential piece of Armenian culture and defense systems.

❈ The complex includes the Variberd fortress-residence, perched at 2019 meters above sea level, with stone walls, multifaceted structures, and a sprawling
burial ground.

❈ Nearby, Veriberd or Simo Berd fortress, dating back to the 14th-13th centuries BC, features defensive towers and a formidable defense system,
offering valuable materials from ancient periods.

❈ Lernakert is a treasure trove of history, showcasing the footprints of ancient civilizations and beckoning explorers to unravel the enigmas of Armenia’s past in its
rugged terrain and crumbled walls.

Research history

The archaeological complex, consisting of two fortresses and settlements, burial grounds, water distribution systems, a single-nave basilica church, khachkars, villages and a cemetery, extends to the west at 1870-2390 m from the sea level and covers an area of about 820 ha. The antiquities of Lernakert were investigated in three stages: a) exploration and registration: N. Mar (1893), T. Toramanian (1924), b) research and experimental excavations of fortresses by K. Ghafadaryan (1960-70s), A. Smith (1995) and c) regular, complex researches: B. Vardanyan (2019-2022).

Archaeological description

Vari Berd or Hokhe’s fortress-residence and burial ground is located 1.2 km north-west from the village, on a long ridge-like rise, at 2019 m from the sea level (area: 6.5 ha, N40,33,300, E43, 55,870). The flat, triangular top of the hill is bordered by a 1.6-2 m high preserved fence in some places. Traces of multi-shaped structures are noticed inside the wall, in the river. The eastern slope of the hill was divided into three platforms, separated by walls. The north-western slope of the castle is also protected: here there is a platform bordered by a high wall, where the thickness of the VE cultural layer reaches to 3.15 m. There is a structure with rectangular double-rowed walls on the western slope of the castle, with a rectangular plan, a structure surrounded by a tower-like building with a circular base at the western corner and a wall of 0.5-0.7 m height. There is a “wheel-shaped” ED structure with adjacent seven cells outlined on the eastern slope of the castle. The burial ground stretching on the western and northern slopes of the castle, with 7-10 m diameter stone rings and earthen cells, is embedded in the VB settlement. A VB cultural layer was also found in the lower horizons of the “spiral” structure, repeating the stratigraphic picture documented in other parts of the monument. The VII and VI century fortress-residence and burial ground were built in the Early Bronze Age settlement (Fig. 1). Shells (black-polished, decorated VBD samples and black, gray, brown ED vessels), a bronze VB sickle-shaped item (fig. 6), agarics, obsidian tools, etc. (Vardanyan, Mkrtchyan 2021, 21-32) were revealed by the excavations. The monument had several stages of settlement: the earliest is represented by the VB settlement (XXIX-XXVI centuries BC), then by the UB burial ground (XV-XIV centuries BC) and the VE castle and its settlement (XII-X centuries BC).

1.5 km from Vary Berd, on the top of a flat surfaced hill, a dry movement walled structure repeating the natural contour is the Veri Berd or Simo Berd (area: 11.3 ha, summit area: 0.7 ha, N40, 33.54, E43, 56.38) (Fig. 2) . In the enclosure with a height of 1.2-2.6 m, jagged protrusions in the form of defensive towers and battlements can be seen. In the most vulnerable part of the castle (on the right side, where the hill merges with the field), parallel to the wall, a combination of fortifications and structures created a barrier system. The citadel is protected in the eastern corner of Veri Berd and is separated from the castle by a rampart.

According to the comparison of the fortress structure and the morphological research of the pottery excavated in the lower horizons, the period of the foundation of Veri Berd refers to the VII century (XIV-XIII centuries BC). The final stage of the settlement dates back to the ancient period, 364-204 BC (fig. 4).

The UB and VE materials recovered from the Veri Berd Castle are classified as black, wavy and nail-shaped, patterned shells on sediments, pottery, obsidian tools and other materials. Antique objects are animal-shaped handles, faucets, colored and patterned vessels, bronze and bone toiletries, as well as obsidian, flint tools and other materials. The burial grounds spread around the two fortresses of Lernakert, containing individual, couple and group burials. The structures here have stone rings with a diameter of 5-25 m and a height of 0.5-2.5 m. mounds and earthen, stone box, slab burial chambers (Vardanyan et all: 2021, 197). The earthen cells facing to the north-south belong to the UB era, and the slab tombs in the same direction are attributed to the Iron Age. The slab tombs facing east-west are two-layer burials. In the tombs with early manifestations of the UB of the accompanying property, the shells preserve the characteristics of the previous, MB century, but the complexes covering and containing the next chronological group are presented with Arctic type materials (Fig. 5). Animal husbandry and hunting, agriculture and pottery, stonework and other branches of crafts and trade were developed in Lernakert (Zarikyan and others, 2020, 58-73).

🔨 Findings

In the ancient site of Aghtamir, various fragments of pottery objects (pots, jars, jugs, jugs, etc.), clay and stone economic and wine wells, agricultural stone tools, etc. are found in the ground and during excavations. Pottery objects, bronze and iron weapons, decorative items, stone idols were found from the tomb. The arrow, the dagger, the sheath of the dagger and the belt with the bronze figure are worth mentioning.

Significance

Lernakert has a unique role in the evaluation of the Armenian culture: the complex study of landscape changes of the I and III centuries, the morphological and chronological observation of the fortresses, settlements and burial grounds, the clarification of the manifestations of the wider geographical inclusion of local Arctic-type products of material culture, as well as on the ancient roads of the region in terms of location, as part of the defense and trade system.

Sources

Literature

B. Vardanyan, R. Davtyan, S. Manukyan, M. Saribekyan, Lernakert: a new archaeological project in Shirak. Archaeology of Armenia in Regional Context, P. Avetisyan., A. Bobokhyan (ed.), Yerevan, 2021, pp. 189-200.
N. Zarikyan, B. Vardanyan, B. Davtyan, R. Manukyan, M. Saribekyan 2020, Zoology of Lernakert according to the results of the 2019 excavations, Scientific works, №23 (2), pp. 58-73.
B. Vardanyan, L. Mkrtchyan 2021, Modeling of Bronze-Iron Age monuments of Lernakert, №24 (3), pp. 21-32.