Karaglukh [Kʻaraglukh] hamlet, Kuchir shal cemetery, khachkʻar (cross-stone) № 1
Monument
Monument type
Khachkʻar (cross-stone) Given name
No name Other names
No other names initial, sequential and current
Funerary stela Original ownership and affiliation
K‘araglukh village The name of conservation unit
Khachkʻar A topographic report
Region (province), community
Located in Mets Aṛankʻ (later, Nerkʻin Khachʻen) region of Artsakh province in historical Greater Armenia, until 2020, Kʻaraglukh settlement in Khoramortʻ village, Askeran region in the Republic of Artsakh. Kʻaraglukh settlement has been seized by the military forces of Azerbaijan from March 24, 2022. As a result, the destiny of the monument is unknown. Address
Kʻaraglukh settlement, Khoramortʻ village, Askeran region Topography
Kuchir shal1 area of Kʻaraglukh settlement Distance and location from community
Located about 0,5 km south-east from Kʻaraglukh settlement in a newly-discovered cemetery Site elevation above sea level
1012 m high above sea level Hydrography
Located 4,1 km south from Khachenaget on the forest-covered eastern slope of Shikakʻar Description
The khachkar is in its original emplacement, standing. It has medium dimensions, a semicircular top and is made of greyish white limestone. Historical record
Cultural characteristics, period, century (centuries)
13th -14th centuries Documents for dating: according to the iconography
Dating is done based on stylistic and artistic features Brief historical overview
13th -14th centuries, a newly-discovered khachkar, published for the first time Descriptive-Characterization Report
Building material (type, colour)
greyish white limestone Imagery (photos)
The central field of this stela with an arched top is framed with a wide plaited strip which is not well-preserved. There is a "blooming cross" in the centre of the frame. The widening arms of the cross end with two plainly-done trefoil protrusions. The arms of the cross are covered with vegetal patterns that join in the centre to a perforated small panel. Above the horizontal arms of the central cross, there are two smaller crosses engraved on the left and right. The arms of these crosses end with rounded patterns. There is another cross with arms widening at the end in the upper section of the stela, beneath the arched top. Two plain crosses are engraved beneath the right and left arms of this cross. Two other crosses are engraved on the upper side, forming a part of the plaited strip and completing the composition. Type
The khachkar can be dated to the 13th -14th centuries based on its structure and artistic features. Dimensions: length
70 cm Dimensions: width
95 cm Dimensions: depth, thickness
30 cm State of conservation: Qualitative (good, average, bad, emergency, ruins)
Good Value
This khachkar and other funerary stelae found in the same location, reaching up to several dozens in number, are newly discovered. They are significant for the history and art of Karaglukh settlement, as well as of Artsakh, and for the study of mediaeval Armenian stelae. ----------------------------
1In Artsakh dialect, "Kuchir shal" means a small and even area. Photos
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Main bibliography
Kuchir Shal cemetery is not mentioned in literature.
Fieldwork was done by the workers of the State service of historical environment conservation at the Ministry of education, science, art and sport of Artsakh Republic.
A.H., A.L-Y.