Zorats

Zorats, commonly known as Zorats Karer or Karahunj, is a prehistoric megalithic site in the Syunik Province of Armenia, located near the village of Karahunj and the town of Sisian. The complex comprises a field of upright stones arranged in circular and linear patterns around a central area; some stones bear cup-shaped depressions. The overall layout and the sheer number of stones have led to comparisons with other ancient megalithic sites, and the site is often referred to as Armenia’s Stonehenge in tourist and popular literature.

Dating and interpretation of Zorats Karer remain the subject of debate. The site is generally regarded as belonging to the late Neolithic to early Bronze Age, but scholarly estimates vary widely, with some proposals placing its use as early as the 7th or 8th millennium BCE and others suggesting activity in the 5th–3rd millennia BCE. The function of the arrangement is not established; proposed purposes include burial practices, ceremonial activity, and, in some theories, astronomical observation. Claims of specific celestial alignments have been proposed by researchers but are not universally accepted, and consensus has not been reached.

Preservation and status: Zorats Karer is a protected cultural monument in Armenia. It attracts researchers and visitors, with interpretive materials available at a nearby site area and ongoing archaeological work and conservation efforts conducted by Armenian scholars and international partners. The site is also referenced in national heritage programs and remains a prominent example of Armenia’s ancient megalithic heritage.