Areni-1 Cave

The archaeological excavations in Areni-1 cave started since 2007. The site is located in the Arpa River canyon, around 1,5 km north-east from the Areni village (Voayots Dzor Province of Armenia). The investigations at the site brought to light cultural remains reflecting at least three occupational phases or horizons of the Late Chalcolithic sequence, which are dating back to the Last Quarter of the V to Mid IV Millennia BCE. Among the most important discoveries of the site are the oldest leather shoe and the wine production complex. Due to the unique microclimate of this ecological niche artifacts with organic origins have exceptional state of preservation, which is making Areni-1 as an outstanding source for study of the origins of the complex societies in Armenians Highlands. The cave site y ielded important finds dating back to the medieval period as well, especially fragments of textile and carpets, proving the ancient roots of the
Armenian carpet production.