Agarak, Aragatsotn

Agarak, located in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia, is an archaeological site that features some of the earliest large man-made structures carved into stone, dating back to the Early Bronze Age around 3400 BCE. This site is one of the earliest in the Caucasus, showcasing rock wells, stairways, and corridors. The settlement shows evidence of continuous habitation until the Early Iron Age and later became an urban center due to its strategic location on the Aras Valley trade route. Artifacts from the Hellenistic and Roman periods, such as buried coins and signet rings, have been found. The ruins of churches and a mosque indicate religious activity from the 5th century CE to the 17th century CE. Agarak's archaeological significance lies in its extensive history and the variety of cultural layers present at the site.