Ughtasar, Summit at Syunik province, Armenia
Ughtasar is a volcanic summit in Syunik province rising above 3,300 meters, defined by dark volcanic rock formations and a rugged landscape. A crater lake sits near the peak, surrounded by green slopes that soften the terrain.
The mountain holds over 1,000 petroglyphs created from the Paleolithic period around 12,000 BCE through the early Iron Age. This long span of carved rock art demonstrates how successive cultures returned to the same location across thousands of years.
The name derives from either 'ught' meaning camel due to the mountain's silhouette, or 'ukht' referring to pilgrimages that took place here. Visitors can observe how the landscape itself became a canvas for spiritual journeys across centuries.
Reaching the site requires traveling on unpaved roads and climbing steep terrain, so a four-wheel-drive vehicle is necessary. Visit during warmer months when weather conditions are more stable and accessible.
The carvings depict hunting scenes, geometric patterns, and zodiac signs etched into the dark volcanic stones. This mix of everyday subjects and celestial symbols offers insight into how ancient peoples viewed their world and the cosmos together.
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