About Armenia

The Ancient Armenia

Armenia is a country with ancient history and rich culture. In fact, it is one of the oldest countries in the world. The current Republic of Armenia makes up only a small part of what the historical lands used to hold. Armenians are native to the land of the Armenian Highlands which covers over 400,000 square km.

Scientific research, numerous archaeological findings and old manuscripts prove that the Armenian Highlands are the very Cradle of Civilization.

Since prehistoric times, the territory of Armenia has been populated by different tribes. The first evidence of human settlement in Armenia dates back to 90,000 BC. Further findings in caves and stone inscriptions are proof of human settlement in Armenia through Paleolithic period.

The Armenian Highlands

According to ancient written sources of Sumerians and Akkadians, Man was created in the Armenian Highlands; the land at that time was referred to as Eden, Kur or Abzu. Abzu was described to be located near the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, which at that time were part of the Armenian Highlands.

The bible also supports this theory of the origin of mankind. It’s commonly assumed that the Garden of Eden was located in the Armenian Highlands, also known as the Armenian Plateau. The highlands shared their secrets with the rest of the world, introducing their findings to European and Asian civilizations alike. Iron age metallurgy as well as apricots have their origin in the Armenian Plateau and were later on introduced to Europe. It’s only later, after the Armenian Genocide, that in an attempt to erase Armenian culture, history and achievements, the Armenian Highlands were renamed to Eastern Anatolia.

​The Holy Land

Many different cultures and nations have been referring to the Armenian Highlands as the Holy Land, including ancient Egyptians and Sumerians. Armenians were respected for their wisdom and knowledge in almost godlike nature. Thutmose III of Egypt when talking about the Armenian Highlands said that heaven rests upon its 4 pillars in Armenia. 

Armenia is also often referred to as the Land of Noah based on biblical scripts. As Noah’s ark came to rest on the Ararat mountain, which at that time was still officially part of Armenia, his sons and grandsons emigrated those lands. It’s commonly accepted that Armenians are the direct descendants of his son Japheth.