Archaeologists from the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia and the University of Münster have uncovered the remains of a 4th-century church in Artaxata, Armenia, marking it as the oldest known church in the country and one of the earliest worldwide.
The discovery took place during the Armenian-German Artaxata Project, which began in 2018. The remains, an octagonal structure with cruciform extensions, were found in a region historically known as a thriving metropolis and trade hub.
Achim Lichtenberger, a professor at the University of Münster, described the finding as “a sensational testimony to early Christianity in Armenia,” highlighting its significance in the country’s religious history.
Dr. Mkrtich H. Zardaryan from the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia shared that this type of octagonal church was previously unknown in the region, adding that such designs were common in the eastern Mediterranean as far back as the 4th century. He emphasized the unique triangular shape of the building, which is a first for Armenia.
Further analysis of the structure revealed it originally had a simple mortar floor and terracotta tiles, consistent with early Christian memorial buildings.
As excavations continue, archaeologists hope to uncover more about the church’s history and its role in early Armenian Christianity. “We are eager to continue our exploration and to better understand the role this church played in early Christian Armenia,” said Lichtenberger.
