Since time immemorial, humans have pondered their origins. Throughout history many cultures have held various beliefs on the subject. Theorizing and believing everything from stellar origins, to creation in the heavens. All such curiosity and speculation has fueled mankind’s ancient curiosity and interest for astronomy.
The earliest signs of astronomic study in Armenia date back to the copper-bronze Ages (5000-2000BCE). They are found at the archeological sites of Metsamor and Geghama Ler. Pictograms and highly complex celestial iconography along with the early Zodiac sings carefully inscribed on the rocks of Geghama Ler and the ancient dwellings of the Metsamorians. Furthermore, two major observatories found at the excavation sites indicate a highly developed astronomic awareness of the ancient Armenians, who decorated the sites with lithographic representations of various constellations as well as a calendar consisting of 365 days.
The first observatory found at the Metsamor site has a definite orientation towards a bright star, now known as Sirius. It is suggested, due to evidence collected at this site, that inhabitants of Metsamor celebrated the beginning of the new year with the spring solstice. As well, various inscriptions found at the observatory coincide with modern western zodiac signs of the Aries, Capricorn, Leo and Taurus. There is even work that very strongly indicates that these ancient Armenians envisioned the earth as a sphere.
Very little has been learned about ancient Armenian civilization as relatively little archeological work has been undertaken. Also, much knowledge has been lost forever due to mishandling and even state-sponsored vandalism and demolition of ancient Armenian sites which lie outside of Armenia’s current borders.
Sources:
In the World of Laws and Measurments by Dr.Suren Aivazyan
The Evolution of World Alphabets by Dr. Armen Melkon Khandjyan
HAYK National Institute at www.arminco.com/Armenia/haik.html
