Archaeologists have revealed a roughly 100-foot-diameter octagonal church at ancient Artaxata, dated by radiocarbon to the mid-fourth century AD and likely the oldest archaeologically documented church in Armenia. The octagonal plan—symbolic of rebirth—plus terracotta tiles, wooden platform traces, and imported marble point to an important early Christian site. Excavations by a German–Armenian team, active at Artaxata since 2018 and at this trench since September, will continue to investigate the building’s purpose and dedication.
Archaeologists Uncover Mid-4th-Century Octagonal Church in Artaxata — Likely Armenia’s Oldest
Archaeologists Discovered Oldest Armenian Churchmrs - Getty Images
Archaeologists have uncovered a mid-fourth-century Christian church at the site of ancient Artaxata in Armenia. Radiocarbon dating places the structure in the mid-300s AD, making it the oldest archaeologically documented church in the country and a major new piece of evidence for early Christianity in the region.
The most striking feature is a roughly 100-foot-diameter octagonal plan. The octagon was an important form in early Christian architecture: the number eight often symbolized rebirth and the resurrection of Jesus, and by the fourth century octagonal foundations had become familiar across the Eastern Mediterranean.
“It is the oldest archaeologically documented church in the country and provides additional evidence for early Christianity in Armenia,” said Achim Lichtenberger, professor at the University of Münster.
“Octagonal churches were unknown here until now,” added Mkrtich Zardaryan of the National Academy of Sciences in Armenia. “We are familiar with them from the Eastern Mediterranean, where they first appeared in the fourth century AD.”
On the site, archaeologists identified a simple mortar floor overlaid with terracotta tiles. Cross-shaped extensions around the central octagon preserve traces of wooden platforms, and fragments of marble suggest the interior was once richly finished—likely with imported stone from the Mediterranean world.
Historical Context and Significance
Scholars connect the discovery to Armenia’s early Christian history. Gregory the Illuminator is traditionally credited with converting King Tiridates III to Christianity in Artaxata in 301 AD, an event often cited when describing Armenia as the first Christian state. Artaxata, a long-standing capital and regional stronghold, is thus a plausible location for an early and important church.
A German–Armenian archaeological team has been working at Artaxata in the Ararat Plain since 2018; the current trench at this location was opened in September. Researchers plan further excavation to learn more about the building’s liturgical function, its decoration, and to determine to whom the church may have been dedicated.
Why This Matters
The find not only adds a major monument to Armenia’s early Christian archaeology but also highlights cultural and architectural links between the South Caucasus and the Eastern Mediterranean during the formative centuries of Christian worship. The combination of octagonal design, imported materials, and platform structures points to both local religious development and broader regional connections.
