Photo by Slava Sargsyan
Karaglukh [Kʻaraglukh] hamlet, Kuchir shal cemetery, khachkʻar (cross-stone) № 3
Monument
Monument type
Khachkʻar Given name
No name Other names
No other names initial, sequential and current
Funerary stela Original ownership and affiliation
Kʻaraglukh village The name of conservation unit
Khachkʻar A topographic report
Region, community, settlement
Located in Mets Aṛankʻ (later, Nerkʻin Khachʻen) region of Artsakh province in historical Greater Armenia, until 2020, Karaglukh settlement in Khoramort village, Askeran region in the Republic of Artsakh. Karaglukh 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 Karaglukh 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 Shikakar Description
The khachkar is in its original emplacement, standing, and the lower part is in the ground. It is rectangular with 70×85×30 dimensions, 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)
Photo by Slava Sargsyan
The khachkar is framed with a plaited strip. There is a "blooming cross" in the centre of the frame, and its upper part is enclosed by an arch. The central cross has wide arms ending with two plainly-done trefoil protrusions. The arms of the cross are adorned with geometrical patterns that interlace in the centre to form the small central panel. Beneath the horizontal arms of the central cross, there are two smaller crosses engraved on the left and right. These are almost equal-armed crosses, leaning on the two parallel palm branch patterns. Most certainly, there is a rosette in the centre of the lower section, which is not visible. It is remarkable that the plaited strip and the enclosing arch are adorned with patterns.
Type
The khachkar can be dated to the 13th -14th centuries based on its structure and artistic features. Dimensions: length
70 cm Dimensions: height
85 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.