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Areni-1 Cave: Unearthing Armenia's Ancient Past

Explore Areni-1 Cave in Armenia, home to the world's oldest winery and ancient artifacts dating back thousands of years.

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Areni-1 Cave, also known as Bird's Cave, is an archaeological site near Areni village in southern Armenia, revealing Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age secrets. It's famed for the world's oldest winery (circa 4000 BC) and other significant finds like the oldest leather shoe and a straw skirt.

A brief summary to Areni-1 Cave

  • Monday 10 am-7 pm
  • Tuesday 10 am-7 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-7 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-7 pm
  • Friday 10 am-7 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-7 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-7 pm

Local tips

  • Hire a local guide to fully appreciate the cave's history and significance.
  • Wear sturdy shoes as the cave floor can be dusty and uneven.
  • Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Noravank Monastery and local wineries.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Yerevan, take a minibus (marshrutka) from Kilikia Bus Station to Yeghegnadzor. The journey takes approximately 3 hours and costs around 1200 AMD. From Yeghegnadzor, take a taxi or local bus to Areni village. From Areni village, it's about a 1 km walk to Areni-1 Cave. Be prepared for a short uphill walk.

  • Taxi

    From Yerevan, a taxi directly to Areni-1 Cave takes approximately 1.5 hours and costs between 12,000-15,000 AMD. Alternatively, take a taxi to Areni village and then walk approximately 1 kilometer to the cave entrance.

  • Walking

    From the center of Areni village, follow the main road east towards Noravank Monastery. After a short distance, turn left onto the road signposted to Areni-1 Cave. The cave is approximately 1 km from the village center, and the walk is uphill.

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Discover more about Areni-1 Cave

Venture into Areni-1 Cave, an extraordinary archaeological site cradled in the Vayots Dzor region of Armenia, near the village of Areni. This three-chambered karstic cave, also called Bird's Cave, sits along the Arpa River, offering a journey back to the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Ages. Excavations that began in 2007 have unveiled remarkable discoveries, including the world's oldest known winery, dating back to around 4000 BC. Evidence of wine production, including grape remains and storage vessels, highlight the cave's significance in the history of winemaking. The cave wasn't just for wine; it was a multi-purpose space for habitation, animal keeping, food storage, and rituals. Among the treasures found within Areni-1 are the world's oldest leather shoe (circa 3500 BCE), a straw skirt (circa 3900 BCE), and the remains of a human brain. These artifacts, along with ceramics, baskets, and skeletons, paint a vivid picture of life in the South Caucasus millennia ago. The cave's unique microclimate has preserved these organic remains, offering insights into ancient societies. Visiting Areni-1 allows you to explore the ancient wine-making equipment and imagine the rituals and daily life of its early inhabitants. As excavations continue, the cave promises more revelations about Armenia's rich heritage.

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