Zorats Karer, Stone row and archaeological site near Sisian, Armenia
Zorats Karer is an archaeological site near Sisian containing 223 basalt stones arranged in rows across an elevated plateau. The stones reach up to 3 meters in height and feature carefully drilled holes that researchers continue to study.
The burial ground dates from the Middle Bronze Age between 2000 and 1600 BCE and continued to be used until around 900 BCE in the Early Iron Age. Over this long span, the site shows how people returned across generations to honor their dead at the same location.
The central area features stones arranged around burial chambers, showing where important people from ancient times were laid to rest. Visitors can see how this arrangement reflected the value that communities placed on honoring their deceased.
The site spreads across an elevated plateau with walking paths connecting the stone arrangements, making it accessible for visitors to explore on foot. Allow time for your visit and plan accordingly, as the elevated location offers little shelter from weather changes.
The vertical basalt stones form geometric patterns over a 300-meter distance, with researchers studying whether their arrangement aligns with celestial movements. This orderly layout suggests the builders possessed a sophisticated understanding of the sky.
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