The cradle of ancient civilization and winemaking is becoming a cave museum

Active work is underway in Areni to create the first cave museum. The cooperation between Viva and the “Areni-1 Cave” Scientific Research Foundation is promising. 

The partner organizations aim to present the cradle of ancient civilization and winemaking to the public and the world in a new format by the end of the year – as  a cave museum. This will help preserve the unique archaeological heritage while contributing to the development of tourism, education, science and the economy of Vayots Dzor. Moreover, the museum can contribute to “Areni-1 Cave” becoming a unique scientific and educational center in the entire South Caucasus. 

The installation of cabinets and display cases at this archaeological center of global significance is nearing completion. At the same time, work is underway on the museum’s lighting, interior design and security systems. The discovered colorful karas, a traditional Armenian clay vessel used in winemaking, already has its place, and an animated presentation of it has also been prepared. For seven years now, the foundation has been conducting research in Vayots Dzor. An exceptional history has been preserved in the layers being studied, from the early stages of the formation of humanity to the present day. The focus is not only on Areni Cave, but also on the archaeological heritage of the Arpa River Valley.

“The idea of creating a cave museum was quite risky, because there was no such precedent. It is one thing to have a bold idea and another to bring it to life. It is the same in archaeology. It is one thing to excavate a new site without knowing what to expect, and another to continue work that began years ago. Viva believed in the importance of our initiative, took the risk and supported us. There are risks, of course, but the process of creating the museum shows that our hopes will be justified and we will have a very good result,” said Boris Gasparyan, founder of the “Areni-1 Cave” Research Foundation, researcher at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the National Academy of Sciences, head of the Areni expedition.

The “Areni-1” cave is not only a unique archaeological monument of Armenia but also a site of global significance that offers new insights into the origins of human civilization, culture, and winemaking. It is a great honor for Viva to participate in a project that brings together science, education, the preservation of national heritage, and the development of regional tourism. We are confident that the establishment of Armenia’s first cave museum will present these invaluable discoveries to the world in a manner worthy of their significance, preserve their legacy for future generations, and give new impetus to the development of the Vayots Dzor region. By supporting initiatives of this kind, we invest not only in preserving the past but also in the future of our country,” said Viva’s General Director Armen Avetisian.

Thousands of finds related to the worldview of the society that lived 6000 years ago have been discovered in the “Areni-1 Cave”, reflecting the connection between material and spiritual culture. They change the existing ideas about the early history of humankind. Before becoming part of the museum exhibition, the finds undergo a long restoration process at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography. This work requires a patient, careful, meticulous and responsible approach to present the archaeological heritage of our country and these finds of universal significance to the world.

The cave museum will have two halls. With the support of Viva, the museum will be furnished and fitted with the necessary security system.