Some call Armenia – a museum under an open sky.

Despite its size, Armenia is rich in archaeological sites that shed light on our history and culture. Below are the most impressive archaeological sites you can visit when traveling to Armenia.

Areni

Did you know that Armenia is the cradle of wine-making? Visit the archaeological site of Areni to see the oldest winery in the world. Areni cave, located in the Vayots Dzor region, is well-known for its wine-making discoveries. Nonetheless, it has multiple layers of human activities, claiming that it has been continuously used as a residence. Archaeological excavations at the site uncovered a 6,100-year-old winery, wine press, jars, grape seeds, a 5,500-year-old leather shoe, a burial site, and other artifacts.

The good news is that you can visit the cave, walk through the chambers opened up by excavations, and admire the site's priceless findings.

Shengavit

If you are interested in ancient civilizations or are interested in archaeology, the Shengavit archaeological site will leave you speechless. Shengavit is located in Yerevan and is easily accessible from the city center. Next to the site is a small museum where you can examine some archaeological finds. The main excavation phase of Shengavit was carried out during the mid-20th century, uncovering a significant number of facts about Kura-Araxes or Shengavitian civilization.

This site will once again convince you of how wisely ancient people chose the location of their residences.

Dashtadem

Located in the Aragatsotn region, Dashtadem is famous for its medieval fortress, but it has much more to offer… Several layers of the Dashtadem Fortress were opened up as a result of the archaeological excavations, shedding light on the historical and cultural aspects of the 12-14th, 15-18th, and 19-20th centuries. The archaeological discoveries enriched the Armenian legacy in terms of art, architecture, and history. Unlike many other archaeological sites around the world, you can visit Dashtadem and wander around and explore the site to your heart's content.

Unlike many other archaeological sites around the world, you can visit Dashtadem and wander around and explore the site to your heart's content.

Agarak

The Agarak archaeological site, one of the most vivid examples of early Bronze Age residences, is only an hour's drive from Yerevan. The Agarak archaeological site spreads over the Amberd river banks in Aragatsotn province. The most recent excavations uncovered valuable finds such as ceramic fragments, statuettes, Urartian burials, sacrifice sites, and a ritual landscape stretching around 200 hectares.

According to early excavation results, the site was inhabited from the third millennium BC until the Urartian period. Visiting this site as an archaeologist or simply as a fan of unique historical experiences will enhance your lifelong memories of Armenia.

Zorats Karer

On your way to Goris, Syunik region, stop by the Zorats Karer archaeological site and take in the splendor of the surroundings. The Zorats Karer site is fraught with controversy; some claim it is an ancient observatory, the Armenian Stonehenge, and a large burial site. However, archaeological excavations have continued in recent years and promise new discoveries throughout the area.

Excavation findings point to Zorats Karer being a burial site, with the primary burial in the central part of the cromlech - a megalithic composition.

Erebuni

Erebuni, located within the city limits of Yerevan, is one of the most well-known archaeological sites among foreign visitors. Visit the Erebuni archaeological site to learn more about the Urartian civilization and its cultural and architectural manifestations on the territory of modern-day Armenia.

You can tour the archaeological site, explore the fortress, and see the findings from excavations displayed in the adjacent museum building.

Karashamb

Although Armenia has many unique archaeological sites, Karashamb tops our list. Karashamb, located in the Kotayk region, is a unique Bronze Age monument featuring animal and human burials. This monument is one-of-a-kind in its size, with over 700 tombs in the burial site dating from the 20th to the 7th centuries BC.

Enjoy the heartwarming nature scenes and explore the archaeological site, which still holds many secrets unknown to archaeologists and anthropologists.