Welcome to Areni‑1 Cave, a portal to millennia of human innovation. Nestled in Armenia’s rugged Vayots Dzor, this site preserves imprints of early life, sacred rituals, and the birth of winemaking. Step into ancient shelters and mystical galleries, where every stone echoes a timeless story.
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Cliff Palace
Explore a cliff dwelling and hear from descendent communities
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Areni‑1 Cave, situated in Armenia’s Vayots Dzor Province, is a remarkable archive of human innovation and cultural evolution. This landmark site has yielded extraordinary discoveries from the Chalcolithic period, including the world’s oldest leather shoe and early evidence of winemaking. Artifacts ranging from finely crafted tools to symbolic ritual deposits and burials reveal a sophisticated society that seamlessly blended daily life with ceremonial practices. Each find provides insight into how ancient inhabitants harnessed their environment and resources, forging techniques that continue to influence modern culture. Areni‑1 remains a vital resource for understanding our shared heritage.
The guided tour was produced as part of the Community Heritage Exchange Initiative, a collaboration of the U.S. Department of State Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, StoryCenter, and CyArk. The project was made possible through local collaboration with the Vayots Dzor DMO and numerous individual community members.
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