Sevanavank Monastery — Peninsula Twin Churches on Sevan Rock
Bagratid (874 Princess Mariam Bagratuni Ashot I's daughter exile dedication 3 churches on island fortress after Arab rule)·Armenian Bagratid Mariam (sister of Ashot I) 874 peninsular rock fortress·🇦🇲 Gegharkunik Province, Lake Sevan peninsula, Sevan town isle, former island 100 m lake 1930s outlet lowered now peninsula, Armenia
About
About Sevanavank Monastery — Peninsula Twin Churches on Sevan Rock
Sevan 874 Mariam excavated by Arakelyan, island fort peninsula after 1930s hydropower drawdown. Recorded context — Period: Bagratid (874 Princess Mariam Bagratuni Ashot I's daughter exile dedication 3 churches on island fortress after Arab rule); Culture: Armenian Bagratid Mariam (sister of Ashot I) 874 peninsular rock fortress; Field status: partially excavated; Materials: black tuff, cyclopean blocks; Condition: preserved, Bus — UNESCO indeed.
Why it mattersKey Armenian Bagratid Mariam (sister of Ashot I) 874 peninsular rock fortress temple-complex with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Trade network extent
- 02Function of enclosure
Theories
- 01Seasonal gathering
- 02Defensive stronghold
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 874 Surb Arakelots and Surb Astvatsatsin pair above cyclopean Bronze Age fort 4th c. BCE Urartu?
- Period
- Bagratid (874 Princess Mariam Bagratuni Ashot I's daughter exile dedication 3 churches on island fortress after Arab rule)
- Culture
- Armenian Bagratid Mariam (sister of Ashot I) 874 peninsular rock fortress
- Purpose
- 874 twin churches on 1930s peninsula (was island) over Cyclopean Urartian? fort 3 ha with Bronze Age wall — peninsular fortress monastery 180 m lake rock
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1981
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 400 BCE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Sevanavank Monastery — Peninsula Twin Churches on Sevan Rock
874 Surb Arakelots and Surb Astvatsatsin pair above cyclopean Bronze Age fort 4th c. BCE Urartu?
Initial construction / first occupation at Sevanavank Monastery — Peninsula Twin Churches on Sevan Rock
1970 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Sevanavank Monastery — Peninsula Twin Churches on Sevan Rock
On the ground
Structures & features
40.5630° N · 45.0120° E · 1920 m · 4 mapped features
- Sevanavank Monastery — Peninsula Twin Churches on Sevan Rock — Principal Templetempletemple at Sevanavank Monastery — Peninsula Twin Churches on Sevan Rock — subsidiary complex40.5618° N · 45.0122° E
- Sevanavank Monastery — Peninsula Twin Churches on Sevan Rock — Altar Annex 2altaraltar at Sevanavank Monastery — Peninsula Twin Churches on Sevan Rock — hydraulic feature40.5634° N · 45.0112° E
- Sevanavank Monastery — Peninsula Twin Churches on Sevan Rock — Southern Shrineshrineshrine at Sevanavank Monastery — Peninsula Twin Churches on Sevan Rock — subsidiary complex40.5644° N · 45.0104° E
- Sevanavank Monastery — Peninsula Twin Churches on Sevan Rock — Eastern Templetempletemple at Sevanavank Monastery — Peninsula Twin Churches on Sevan Rock — primary structure40.5634° N · 45.0125° E
Gallery