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Oldest Christian church ever uncovered

Archaeologists have discovered an ancient church in Armenia dating back to 350 AD, almost 2,000 years ago – the oldest Christian church ever unearthed.

Researchers originally made the discovery last year in Artaxata as part of a mission in collaboration with the Armenian Academy of Sciences, but further excavation and analysis is taking place this year.

Classical archaeologist Achim Lichtenberger from the University of Münster said: “The fourth-century building is the oldest archaeologically documented church in the country – sensational evidence of early Christianity in Armenia.”

Another professor noted that the shape of the church also provides information about the architecture of the period: “Octagonal churches were previously unknown here, but we know them very well from the eastern Mediterranean, where they first appeared in the 4th century.” ADVERTISEMENT. “

The team launched its Armenian-German Artaxata project six years ago, seeking a deeper study of the ancient city's architecture, with the church considered the team's first significant discovery to date

Armenian-German Artaxata Project

The team launched its Armenian-German Artaxata project six years ago, seeking a deeper study of the ancient city's architecture, with the church considered the team's first significant discovery to date.

Artaxata was from 176 BC. The capital of the Kingdom of Armenia and a center of trade and commercial exploitation from which its ruler Tiridates III. ruled.

According to legend, the king declared Christianity the official religion of Armenia decades before the conversion of the Roman Empire, thanks to the work of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, who is still revered today as the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, as well as other select communities.

The ancient city – located near the modern city of Artashat – experienced a series of Roman attacks, with a final blow from Pompey the Great prompting the Armenian king to cede several of his conquered territories.

RECENT ARCHEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES:

The researchers revealed the remains of wooden platforms, which they radiocarbon dated, as well as the church's octagonal floor, which was about 30 meters in diameter.

The building itself had a “plain mortar floor and terracotta tiles,” richly decorated with materials such as marble imported from the Mediterranean.

The team in Armenia will continue their project as they hope to uncover additional material and identify the person to whom the church was dedicated.

According to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), these discoveries followed Azerbaijan's attempt to destroy historical, religious, political and residential sites of Armenia, such as statues and churches, around Artsakh since 2021.

Bird's-eye view of the excavation site in Artaxata

The team in Armenia will continue their project as they hope to uncover additional material and identify the person to whom the church was dedicated

Armenian-German Artaxata Project

The discovery follows the recent discovery of a nearly 4,000-year-old Egyptian tomb of a noblewoman from the ancient civilization in the Asyut region.

According to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, researchers discovered Edi, the daughter of a prominent governor, while cleaning her father's grave under the leadership of a team of German and Egyptian archaeologists.

According to Mohamed Ismail, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the find illuminated the study of the socio-political structure of the Middle Kingdom, the Egyptian period between 2030 and 1650 BC. BC

Ismail said: “Preliminary studies suggest that Edi died before reaching the age of 40 and suffered from a congenital foot defect.”

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