Ughtasar Petroglyphs

Armenia is one of the first places where human civilization began. The proof of this is the variety monuments of the most ancient times of human civilization, the Stone Age, in the territory of Armenia. The significant part of the monuments of the Stone Age - the petroglyphs, is located in the Marz (region) of Syunik, on Mount Ukhtasar. Ukhtasar is located in the central part of Syunik highlands, at the height of 3300 meters above sea level. Ukhtasar is located between the lakes Sev (black) and Al (red). It got this name because the area was like a humped camels (Ukht in Armenian Camel). They also say that one time the pilgrims sacrificed their hunt on a mountain slope and then depicted their sacrifice on the stones. But before the ceremony of sacrifice they passed a long and arduous way till presenting the sacrifice and cleared their bodies in the lakes of Ukhtasar. Indeed, Ukhtasar was not only a place of sacrifice: it was the result of association, expression and artistic thinking of primitive people, their holy wall niche of world outlook, psychology, beliefs and miracle in the open air. The vast majority of the Ukhtasar petroglyphs are the images of goats. The bezoar goat, always found in the scope the natural-observes of the medial ages, was a pretty, slim fast animal, which was widely spread in the Armenian Highlands. Bezoar goat has also the property to create healing bezoars in its stomach. Primitive man had noticed an amazing peculiarity in the behavior of these animals when they are in the herd: when during a strong lightning or rain panic seizes in the herd, goat climbs to the top of the rock, stretches horns and hardens, thus taking a blow as natural lightning rod. Goats are especially prevalent in the scenes of hunting and are a collective symbol of small cattle. Goat also serves as an animal symbol of the god - the Divine Spirit and the exponent of the concept of God in the petroglyphs. Consequently, goats are also interpreted as an icon of divine power. The Ukhtasar petroglyphs are monuments of world importance. It is one of the favorite places of tourists. Numerous tourists visited this out-of-the-way place during the last 4-5 years. They were fascinated not only by the archaic petroglyphs but also by the scenic terrain and transparent icy small lakes.