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Cercetări Arheologice
Article . 2025 . Peer-reviewed
Data sources: Crossref
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Rock-Carved Inscriptions of the Armenian Highlands: Sacred Symbolism and Cultural Continuity

Authors: Arsen Harutyunyan; Vahe Sargsyan; Gagik Sargsyan;

Rock-Carved Inscriptions of the Armenian Highlands: Sacred Symbolism and Cultural Continuity

Abstract

The veneration of rock formations in the Armenian Highland finds its most vivid manifestation also through rock-cut inscriptions. This practice reached particular prominence in the Kingdom of Van, especially from the mid-9th century BC, when, alongside the emergence of a centralized state structure, the cuneiform writing system was also adopted. In the Kingdom of Van, royal authority was considered to have been bestowed by the supreme deity, Ḫaldi; consequently, all actions were carried out in accordance with his will—a principle also clearly reflected in the rock-cut inscriptions. In any given historical period, the sacred text inscribed upon the rock has symbolized the mutual connection between the spiritual and temporal authorities of that era. This phenomenon remains evident in the post-Urartian and Hellenistic periods, and, ultimately, in Christian Armenia. Although medieval rock-cut inscriptions are fewer in number compared to the pre-Christian tradition, the surviving dozens of inscriptions—mostly commemorative or related to construction—along with rock-cut churches and khachkars, testify to the continuity of the phenomenon and to its distinct expressions across different eras.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
gold