Ancient Armenian church ruins redefine early 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 cooperation with the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, have uncovered the ruins of a structure believed to be one of the oldest Christian temples in the world. The research team announced this find in a press release dated 10th October.
The ruins of a church from the 4th century AD have been discovered at the Artaxata archaeological site located on the Ararat plain.
Artaxata, once the capital of the Kingdom of Armenia, has long attracted the interest of archaeologists. Research in this area has been ongoing since 2018, but only recently were traces of a Christian temple uncovered.
Unique sacral structure from the 4th century
The uncovered building is distinguished by its characteristic octagonal shape with cross-shaped branches. Archaeologists, using geophysical methods, managed to expose and study fragments of the construction.
This find corresponds typologically to early Christian memorial buildings – explained the research team from the University of Münster.
During the research, remains of wooden platforms were also discovered, which – thanks to radiocarbon analysis – were dated to the mid-4th century.
The octagonal temple had a floor made of mortar and terracotta tiles, and its diameter was around 98 feet. Among the finds were also marble fragments, likely originating from the Mediterranean region, suggesting that the building was richly decorated.
Professor Achim Lichtenberger from the University of Münster, one of the lead researchers, emphasized the importance of this discovery:
The 4th-century structure is the oldest archaeologically documented church in Armenia – a sensational piece of evidence for 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 a state religion. As researchers from the University of Münster explain, Saint Gregory the Illuminator played a crucial 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 find is located near the medieval Chor Virap Monastery, which serves as an important symbol of this religious tradition.
Artaxata, the former capital of the Kingdom of Armenia, was an important centre during the Hellenistic period and served as a capital for almost six centuries – it was stated in the press release.
A new perspective on the history of Christianity
The discovery of a 4th-century Christian temple in Armenia is an extremely valuable find that allows for a better understanding of the early history of Christianity in the region. This temple, as evidence of the religion's development in one of the oldest Christian states, adds another piece to the puzzle of reconstructing the beginnings of the faith that dominated Armenian culture.
The findings in Artaxata will undoubtedly contribute to the deepening of research on early Christianity and the role Armenia played in its spread. Scientists are planning further work at the site, which may yield more sensational discoveries.
