THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF SHENGAVIT: AN ANCIENT TOWN IN THE ARMENIAN HIGHLAND
Shengavitian or Kura-Araxes Culture of the Early Bronze Age (3500-2400 BC) formed and developed in the Armenian Highland, and was an exceptional phenomenon, which continued its existence for over a thousand years, and at the height of its development it covered a territory nearly 1,5 million km2 (from the North Caucasus to Palestine, from central Asia Minor to the central regions of Iran). The dense population, the complicated art of city–building, the monumental architecture (the defense walls fortified with towers), dwelling and cult buildings, scepters and seals as symbols of power, exceptional samples of adornments, deluxe jewelry incrusted with semiprecious stones, existence of common weight system, development of craft, storing–pits for grain and foods, adjoining settlements, as well as the “Temple of Fire” – all this and other artifacts give reason to suppose that Shengavit, contrary to the settled stereotype, was not just an ordinary settlement, but a center, which for all its indications corresponded to the concept of an ancient oriental town.
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