Pagan temple of Hoghmik situated on the region of Shirak` about 4 kilometers to south-west from the Amasia. Here, about 1.5 kilometers to west from the current village of Hoghmik since 1987 had started and still continues excavations of mentioned archaeological site, which is generally studied 14 archaeological season (1987-1992, and 2006-2013). Before the start of excavations, 4 decades ago, archaeological site had been ameliorated, and as a result almost standing buildings concerned to his upper layers, to antique era / AD III-IV C / by large extent were eliminated from the surface of ground.The area of whole temple complex is approximately 10 hectares. For the first time with the complete complexes ascend to the world ancient armenian fanes and altares, about which there were only a skimpy evidence preserved from past, untill an archeologist’s spade was excavated ancient relics. In the Hoghmik to the main pagan fanes neighbouring warehouses, small chapels, corridors and courtyards.Since 2008 a little bit far from the main archaeological site has started the excavations of “West” complexe, which in separate parts has already have 4 metres deep walls. Everywhere in the inside of buildings has being detected different types of altars, broken temple grass’ debris and remains of sacrificed various animals. The aim of the western section of the excavations is to discover the structure of pagan altars mentioned by the medieval historians. Excavation strategy is “in a decade of excavation to unite ‘main’ and ‘western’ excavating sites. For the solution of current scientific issues unfortunately prevents far from being Hoghmiks village from modern large inhabitation. This, in particular, prevents to the buildings excavations of hall, which situated in the “Basic” or “East” precinct, in the conditionally called the Temple of Anahit. Excavations in turn proves the theory of archeologist Hayk Hakobyan that the ancient pagan temples in Armenia didn’t become a victim of organized destruction but carefully closed, with their presence giving a great reputation to the christian establishments raised on or on neighbouring sites. Hoghmik had commanded respect to Gregory the Illuminator All our medieval historians` Movses Khorenatsi, Aghafangel, Eznik Koxbatsi and others noted in their works that there were fanes and temples in Armenia. Pagan complex of Hoghmik is the bright example for that. The complex consists of 3 layers of construction on which are obvious the works of reconstruction. Pagan complex functioned until AD 3 to 4 th centuries. After the accepting Christianity the temple hadnt been destroyed, it was conservated. The excavation had let us to clear up the process of conservation of complex. «The facts of conservation are so interesting. There are heads of animals was found in a room. After the serving sacrifice humans had closed the door and transferred next room. And so after some time all rooms of complex was conservated. That view reminds ancient Rome, when Christianity got equalized to paganism and after the brief time` in time of Konstante The Great fanes and temples, which was devoted to Nitra had being closed with cry and sorrow` hoping to Nitra to come back one day. That concept had taken place in the epos of Sasuntsi Davit, when all was mourning becouse the Nitra or Mher entering the rock` hoping to go out on day» ,- said Hayk Hakobyan. Usually pagan temples closes in two cases, first ` after the death of king, when they stoping sacrifice to him, and second` when there was being religious revolution. Pagan temple of Hoghmik is exclusive by the fact, that after accepting Christianity Gregory the Illuminator didn’t destroy anything in temple, but pagan temples was conservated with great honour and sizable ceremony.
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 04:43:54 +0000
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