Areni-1 Cave
Armenia · Vayots Dzor
In brief
The cave's dry environment preserved organic remains such as leather, plants and textiles exceptionally well. Excavations uncovered a winemaking installation dating to approximately 4000 BC and a leather shoe from the 4th millennium BC.
What was found?
- 1Single-piece leather shoe
The shoe, made by tying a single piece of leather around the foot, shows wear consistent with the right foot. The preservation of the leather provides direct evidence of Chalcolithic clothing technology.
- 2Clay grape-treading platform
A grape-treading platform forming part of a winemaking installation was found in the cave. The preservation of the physical production area distinguishes the find from residues inside vessels alone.
- 3Fermentation and storage vessels
Fermentation vessels and large storage vessels were documented alongside the platform. This assemblage indicates organized production extending from grape processing to storage of the product.
- 4Dried grape seeds
The cave's preservative conditions allowed grape seeds to survive to the present. The plant remains contribute to the interpretation of the production installation and to dating studies.
- 5Vessels containing human skulls
Clay vessels, each containing the skull of a young individual, were uncovered in the rear part of the cave. Researchers associate this area with ceremonial practices as well as storage.
What does it point to?
Areni-1 shows that dwelling, storage, production and ceremonial practices took place in different parts of the cave. Well-preserved leather and plant remains fill in everyday details that stone and ceramic finds often cannot convey.
What did it teach us?
- Wine production was documented through an installation in which the platform and vessels were preserved together.
- The leather shoe provided direct evidence of Chalcolithic shoemaking.
- Excavations revealed that different parts of the same cave were used for different purposes.
Images
Record
- Culture
- Late Chalcolithic communities; Kura-Araxes
- First modern dig
- 2007
- Team / historical
- Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, National Academy of Sciences of Armenia; Areni-1 research partnership
- Coordinates
- 39.7315°, 45.2037°
Sources
Nearby excavations
- Erebuni Fortress 73 km
- Azykh Cave / Azokh Cave 153 km
- Ani 163 km
- Dmanisi 193 km
- Ayanis Fortress 206 km
- Çavuştepe Fortress 215 km
- —
- —
- 12.000
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