Armenia

History Museum of Armenia

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Last updated on November 15, 2024.

The History Museum of Armenia, located in Yerevan, is considered the country’s national museum. It’s housed in the Museums Building on Republic Square.

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Introduction to the History Museum of Armenia

The History Museum of Armenia was founded in 1919 by the First Republic of Armenia as the Ethnographic-Anthropological Museum-Library. It opened to the public on August 20, 1921. The museum was renamed the State Central Museum of Armenia in 1922, the Cultural-Historical Museum in 1931, the Historical Museum in 1935, the State History Museum of Armenia in 1962, and finally the History Museum of Armenia in 2003.

Entrance to the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan, Armenia — Entrance

Today, History Museum of Armenia houses a collection of about 400,000 objects from prehistoric times until the present. The collection continues to expand through finds from excavations at ancient sites in Armenia as well as purchases and donations. The museum is open daily except Mondays. Admission is ֏2,500 (as of November 2024) and free for children under 12. Check the official website for more info.

Exhibits at the History Museum of Armenia

The History Museum of Armenia presents exhibits in chronological order. They highlight cultural relations between the Armenians and several other civilizations, including the Egyptians, Hittites, Assyrians, Persians, Romans, and Byzantines.

Paleolithic & Neolithic Hall

The first exhibit hall covers the Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Chalcolithic Ages. There are several artifacts on display, including simple tools, pottery shards, and jewelry.

Paleolithic and Neolithic Hall at the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan — Paleolithic and Neolithic Hall

Neolithic tools in the Paleolithic and Neolithic Hall — Neolithic tools

Chalcolithic tools in the Paleolithic and Neolithic Hall at the History Museum of Armenia — Chalcolithic tools

The most important artifact in this section is the leather shoe found at the Areni-1 cave complex. It was discovered in 2008 and dates to the Chalcolithic Age between 3600 and 3500 BC. It’s considered the oldest shoe ever found. The shoe measures 24.5 centimeters long and 7.6 to 10 centimeters wide and was made from a single piece of leather fit to the owner’s right foot. It was found stuffed with loose grass to either maintain its shape or prepare it for storage.

Areni-1 Shoe in the Paleolithic and Neolithic Hall at the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan — Areni-1 Shoe

Early Bronze Age

The next hall covers the Bronze Age, starting with the Early Bronze Age from the second half of the 4th millennium BC through the 23rd century BC. This is when the Shengavit or Kuro-Arax cultures formed in Armenia.

Early Bronze Age artifacts in the Bronze Age Hall — Early Bronze Age artifacts

Hearth, 29th-26th century BC, Shengavit, clay in the Bronze Age Hall at the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan — Hearth, 29th-26th century BC, Shengavit, clay

Karas vessel, 26th-25th century BC, Shengavit, clay in the Bronze Age Hall at the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan — Karas vessel, 26th-25th century BC, Shengavit, clay

Middle and Late Bronze Age

The next half of the Bronze Age Hall covers the Middle to Late Bronze Age, from the 23rd century BC through the 11th century BC. It displays finds from settlements all over Armenia. This section has some impressive artifacts, including a ritual goblet and pectoral found at Karashamb. The goblet, discovered in a tomb in 1987, features six horizontal inlaid belts with mythological scenes.

Ritual goblet, 23rd-22nd century BC, Karashamb, silver in the Bronze Age Hall at the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan — Ritual goblet, 23rd-22nd century BC, Karashamb, silver

Pectoral; 23rd-22nd century BC; Karashamb; gold, agate, and carnelian beads in the Bronze Age Hall at the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan — Pectoral; 23rd-22nd century BC; Karashamb; gold, agate, and carnelian beads

Perhaps even more impressive are the burial offerings discovered at the necropolis of Lchashen on Lake Sevan. They were found during excavations in dried up areas of the lake led by H. Mnatsakanyan between 1956 and 1975. The necropolis contained the burials of elite members of the community. Offerings included four-wheeled and two-wheeled carts and chariots as well as pottery. The artifacts date to the 15th and 14th century BC.

Four-wheeled cart, 15th-14th century BC, Lchashen in the Bronze Age Hall — Four-wheeled cart, 15th-14th century BC, Lchashen

Four-wheeled cart, 15th-14th century BC, Lchashen in the Bronze Age Hall at the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan — Four-wheeled cart, 15th-14th century BC, Lchashen

Early Iron Age

Continuing along is the Early Iron Age, with artifacts from the 11th through 8th century BC. Most items on display were found during excavations at the hill of Dvin in 1958. The hill has been inhabited since the 3rd millennium BC.

Three mouth pitcher, 12th-9th century BC, Noyemberyan, clay in the Early Iron Age Hall at the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan — Three mouth pitcher, 12th-9th century BC, Noyemberyan, clay

Pitcher with a hunting scene, 11th-9th century BC, Dvin, clay in the Early Iron Age Hall — Pitcher with a hunting scene, 11th-9th century BC, Dvin, clay

Urartu Period

Urartu and the Kingdom of Van makes up the next section. It covers Urartu, one of the most powerful states in the Near East, from its rise in 860 BC through its collapse around 585 BC. The Bible mentions Urartu as the Araratian Kingdom.

Wall painting from the Temple of Haldi, 8th-7th century BC, Erebuni, clay in the Urartu Hall — Wall painting from the Temple of Haldi, 8th-7th century BC, Erebuni, clay

Urartu was formed in the basin of Lake Van and the Armenian Taurus Mountains by unifying earlier city-states and principalities. The first known ruler was Arame (r. 858-844 BC). The Kingdom of Van developed into an empire in the 9th through 8th centuries BC, reaching its peak under the kings Argishti I (r. 786-764 BC) and Sarduri II (r. 764-735 BC).

Shield and helmet with an inscription of King Argishti I, 786-764 BC, Karmir Blur, bronze in the Urartu Hall at the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan — Shield and helmet with an inscription of King Argishti I, 786-764 BC, Karmir Blur, bronze

Teishebaini Fortress in the Urartu Hall — Teishebaini Fortress

The downfall of Urartu began in 743 BC, when an anti-Assyrian alliance they led was defeated. In 714, the Cimmerians invaded from the north and the Assyrians from the south, but the Urartian Kingdom continued to survive until its collapse in 585. The Armenian Orontid dynasty formed on their territory.

Figures of underworld deities, 7th century BC, Karmir Blur, clay in the Urartu Hall — Figures of underworld deities, 7th century BC, Karmir Blur, clay

Cauldron, 8th-7th century BC, Karmir Blur, bronze in the Urartu Hall — Cauldron, 8th-7th century BC, Karmir Blur, bronze

Armenia: 4th Century BC to 3rd Century AD

The collection follows with a section on Armenia from the 4th century BC to 3rd Century AD. At the beginning of this period, the Armenians were ruled by the Achaemenid Empire. In 331 BC, Alexander the Great defeated the Achaemenids and Armenia became independent. It split into two kingdoms and the territory reached from the Caspian Sea to the shores of the Mediterranean.

Glass vessels, 1st-2nd century, Garni and Artashat in the Armenia Hall at the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan — Glass vessels, 1st-2nd century, Garni and Artashat

Metal and glass artifacts from the 4th century BC to 3rd century AD at the History Museum of Armenia — Metal and glass artifacts

Latin inscription of Emperor Trajan on the construction work of the IV Scythian Legion, 116, Pokr Vedi, limestone at the History Museum of Armenia — Latin inscription of Emperor Trajan on the construction work of the IV Scythian Legion, 116, Pokr Vedi, limestone

Christian Armenia: 4th to 9th Century

The section on Christian Armenia covers the adoption of Christianity as the state religion in 301, the loss of independence, and the preservation of the Armenian religion and culture.

Christian Armenia at the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan — Christian Armenia

Cross, 7th century, Dvin, tufa in Christian Armenia — Cross, 7th century, Dvin, tufa

Fragments of the Zvartnots Temple, 652 in Christian Armenia — Fragments of the Zvartnots Temple, 652

Dvin: Armenia in the 7th to 13th Century

Moving along, the next section displays findings from Dvin, which was the administrative center of Armenia at the beginning of the 8th century. It had a multinational population of over 100,000 and was an important craft and trade center.

Zoomorphic pitcher, 9th century, Dvin, clay at the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan — Zoomorphic pitcher, 9th century, Dvin, clay

Plates and bowls, 10th century, Dvin, clay

One of the most important exports from the 9th century onwards was pottery, especially faience vessels. The production of faience requires kaolin, a high-quality white clay found in the region. It was also known as Armenian clay or Ani clay. from the 9th century onwards. Many types of faience from Dvin, dating between the 11th to 13th centuries, are on display.

Faience pottery from Dvin at the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan — Faience pottery

Pitchers, 12th-14th centuries, Dvin, clay and faience

Lustre with an image of a musician, 10th century, Dvin, faience at the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan — Lustre with an image of a musician, 10th century, Dvin, faience

Finds from Ani at the History Museum of Armenia

Next is a section with a few finds from the ruined medieval city of Ani. Ani was the capital of Bagratid Armenia from 961 to 1045, which covered much of present-day Armenia and eastern Turkey. Nicknamed the City of 1,001 Churches, it sat on several important trade routes. During its heyday, Ani was one of the world’s largest cities, with a population exceeding well over 100,000.

Model of Ani at the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan — Model of Ani

One of the more interesting artifacts is the copper chandelier found during the excavations of the Church of St. Gregory, or Gagikashen, in 1906. It was welded to a 19-meter-long chain and suspended from the ceiling. The crown of the chandelier is decorated with 12 circles depicting eagles and lions. The eagle symbolizes Christ’s resurrection. Eight soaring doves with open wings, cut from bronze leaf, are placed around the crown. Lamp holders hang from three chains connected to their beaks. There are also holes in their wings and tails in which glass lamps would have been inserted.

Chandelier from the Church of St. Gregory (Gagikashen), 11th century, Ani, bronze at the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan — Chandelier from the Church of St. Gregory (Gagikashen), 11th century, Ani, bronze

Child's outfit, 12th-13th century, Ani, silk at the History Museum of Armenia — Child’s outfit, 12th-13th century, Ani, silk

Armenian Monasteries

The final section I was able to visit features artifacts from various Armenian monasteries. The museum was undergoing a renovation during my visit and further sections on Armenian carpets and national costumes were closed to the public.

Capital, 847, Sevanavank, wood at the History Museum of Armenia — Capital, 847, Sevanavank, wood

Throne of Catholicos Simeon I Yerevantsi (1710-1780); 18th century; Echmiadzin; wood, nacre, and glass inlay at the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan — Throne of Catholicos Simeon I Yerevantsi (1710-1780); 18th century; Echmiadzin; wood, nacre, and glass inlay

One of the most precious items on display is a fine khachkar (cross stone) from the Cemetery of Old Jugha (now Julfa, Azerbaijan). On the bottom left corner is a depiction of a saint on horseback holding a cross. Next to it is an inscription in Armenian that reads:

This Holy Cross is in memory of mahtesi Ghalam. In the year 1048 (1599).

Khachkar, 1599, Cemetery of Old Jugha, dolomite at the History Museum of Armenia — Khachkar, 1599, Cemetery of Old Jugha, dolomite

Another is the door of the southern vestry at the Cathedral of Echmiadzin. It’s dated 1721 and measures 152 x 84 x 3.5 centimeters. It’s decorated with a cross inscribed into a circle and branches of a tree of life. The border consists of floral patterns decorated with crosses.

Door of the southern vestry at the Cathedral of Echmiadzin; 1721; wood, nacre, and tortoise shell at the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan — Door of the southern vestry at the Cathedral of Echmiadzin; 1721; wood, nacre, and tortoise shell

Door of the Arakelots Monastery in Mush

Finally, you’ll see the door of the Arakelots Monastery in Mush (today’s Muş, Turkey). It’s a masterpiece of medieval Armenian art made in 1134 by masons Toros and Grigor and engraved by Ghukas. According to tradition, Gregory the Illuminator founded the monastery in 312 with relics of the Apostles brought from Rome. It is also known as the Monastery of St. Lazarus, Monastery of Tirinkatar, Monastery of St. Thaddeus, and Monastery of the Translators. It was an important center of Armenian culture until it was destroyed during the Armenian Genocide in 1915. German archaeologists originally planned to take the door to Berlin, but the advance of Russian troops thwarted their plan. In 1916, archaeologist Smbat Ter-Avetisian (1875-1943) found it in Bitlis. The door made its way to Tbilisi with a group of migrants and finally ended up at the History Museum of Armenia in 1925.

Map of Yerevan with the History Museum of Armenia

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