Areni-1 cave
The Areni-1 cave complex (Armenian: Արենիի քարանձավ) is a multicomponent site,[1] and late Chalcolithic/Early Bronze Age ritual site and settlement,[2] located near the Areni village in southern Armenia along the Arpa River.
Արենի-1 քարանձավ | |
Panorama of the site along the Arpa River | |
Shown within Armenia | |
Location | Vayots Dzor Province, Armenia |
---|---|
Region | Armenian Highlands |
Coordinates | 39°43′53″N 45°12′13″E |
Length | 40 m (130 ft)[1] |
History | |
Material | Karst |
Periods | Chalcolithic, Bronze Age |
Part of a series on the |
---|
History of Armenia |
Timeline |
Findings
In 2008, Armenian PhD student and archeologist Diana Zardaryan of the country’s Institute of Archaeology discovered the earliest known shoe at the site.[3] In January 2011, the earliest known winery in the world was uncovered in the cave.[4] Later, in 2011, the discovery of a straw skirt dating to 3,900 years BCE was reported.[5] In 2009, the oldest humanoid brain was discovered in the cave.[6]
Genetics
Three individuals who lived in the Chalcolithic era (c. 5700–6250 years BP), found in the Areni-1 ("Bird's Eye") cave were identified as belonging to haplogroup L1a. One individual's genome indicated that he had red hair and blue eyes.
Gallery
- Chalcolithic leather shoe from Areni-1 cave
- Entrance to the cave
- Pathway to the entrance
- View from the cave
- The site in 2012, swallow nests on the ceiling of the entrance.
- Swallow nests 2019
See also
Notes
- Metheny, Karen Bescherer; Beaudry, Mary C. (7 August 2015). Archaeology of Food: An Encyclopedia. ISBN 9780759123663. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
- "Areni-1 Cave, Armenia: A Chalcolithic–Early Bronze Age settlement and ritual site in the southern Caucasus". Research Gate. March 1, 2012. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
- "World's oldest leather shoe found in Armenian cave". Reuters. Archived from the original on May 25, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
- Owen, James. "Earliest Known Winery Found in Armenian Cave." National Geographic. January 10, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
- "5,900-year-old women's skirt discovered in Armenian cave". News Armenia. September 13, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
- Bower, Bruce (12 January 2009). "Armenian cave yields ancient human brain". ScienceNews.