Shengavit Yerevan
A 6000-year-old town in Yerevan!
This almost 6000-year-old house in Shengavit settlement of Yerevan is preserved better than Yerevan's old town (which almost disappeared in the past few decades). It most likely had a wooden roof with a little round or square window on top, to let the smoke out when the ritual or cooking fire was burning.
The buildings were mainly round and rectangular. If there hadn't been any mining research in the early 1930s around Yerevanian lake, the discovery of this 2-acre early Bronze Age settlement, located in south-western part of Yerevan, could have been indefinitely delayed Evgeni Bayburdyan, who found and named it Shengavit, wasn’t lucky enough to finish his work, because he was sent to Siberia by Stalin.
When you’re in Yerevan, you shouldn’t miss the perfect opportunity to visit this open-air museum on the life of Shengavitans, who perhaps made the greatest quality pottery in the whole region. Geometric ornaments on clay pots dated 3500-3300 BC remind me of the enigmatic Nazca Lines in Southern Peru (giant geoglyphs in Nazca Desert). I love finding parallels between remote cultures, because it gives a feeling of unity and helps feel closer to every single corner of this amazing planet.
Shengavit is located on a hill, high enough to see the mountains around. The trilingual guide (who speaks English, French and Russian) of the museum next to the ruins will show you priceless artifacts and introduce you to the reconstructed local male with a faithfully Armenian nose. Ring the bell to enter.
Find your way with 142 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Yerevan
Hraparak Metro
Soviet Shdevr
It truly is a Soviet masterpiece considering its unique design and build: it is part metro station, part cavern and, once upon a time, part cafe.
by
Alan
Grigorian
Open Air Cinema
Constructivism alive
The "Open Air Cinema" in Yerevan in Moscow Cinema has a rich history, and Soviet ruin-porn enthusiasts can access the building all-year round, too!
by
Raffi
Elliott
Homeland Handycrafts
Armenian fair trade
"Homeland Handycrafts" in Yerevan is a social enterprise designed to revive traditional Armenian crafts while employing the most vulnerable population...
by
Raffi
Elliott
Millennial Park
Celebrating 2800 years of Yerevan
by
Raffi
Elliott
Hanrapetutyan Street
Beautiful old architecture
"Hanrapetutyan Street" in Yerevan is one of the most central in the city, yet there is so much to see here. The buildings are really beautiful and old...
by
Sofia
Manukyan
Ardēan
Embracing art
"Ardēan": a center for art, architecture and design that has its gallery shop on Abovyan street in Yerevan. I like how they combine technology & tradition.
by
Arpi
Ohanyan
Mermaids of the Underground
Or Soviet nudity
The "Mermaids of the Underground" in Yerevan is a sculpture from 1981. The mermaids wear nothing but their hair, which was quite unusual for its time...
by
Vahagn
Vardumyan
Cross-stone Makers
Talking stones
The "Cross-stone Makers" in Yerevan follow a tradition that goes back to 879 AD. The masters' metal tools on the stone create a meditative sound for me...
by
Arpi
Ohanyan
Komitas Museum
Music in the air
The "Komitas Museum" in Yerevan is one of my favorite ones in the city. It gets me thinking about what Armenian music really is about...
by
Arpi
Ohanyan
Melancholia
Timeless art
"Melancholia" is a statue in Yerevan that truly expresses the feeling that has been increasingly affecting humankind in the last century...
by
Arpi
Ohanyan
TUMO Park
When in need of fresh air in Yerevan
"TUMO Park" in Yerevan has a beautiful panoramic view over the city and the gorge below. I like coming here in summer, and it's great for socialising...
by
Sofia
Manukyan
Heading to Yerevan?
142 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to Yerevan?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 142 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture
Our team loves Yerevan
Get to know our other Spotters from Yerevan
As featured on:
