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According to Heinrich Schliemann, Europe's tragedy is that its culture is based on Greek civilization instead of Armenian. *
This sounds convincing when we take into account the Armenian Stonehenge. *
7500 years old, estimated by Paris Herouni, but Oxford scientific expedition thinks that the monument presents even older historical values.
Scientific research is currently taking place in Qarahunge region. *
Qarahunge may seriously boost Armenia's appreciation as the worlds oldest civilization. *
Nicholas Howarth is from Australia, he is a D. Phil student at Oxford, Geography Department. *
He Learned about the Armenian Stonehenge (Qarahunge, Zorats Karer) last Year.
Now when he is in Armenia he is very surprised how an amazing structure like Qarahunge is not well known around the world till now. *
Howarth: I was shocked because Qarahunge is such an interesting and amazing structure, very similar to othere henges around Europe. *
The holes on the stones, indeed, make Qarahunge one of the unique structures in the World. *
According to some researchers, this historical site, located 3km North to Sisian city, is the oldest Astrological center.
Paris Heruni proclaimed the monument as the Armenian Stonehenge, he estimates that the monument is 7500 years old - even older than English Stonehenge. The holes were made in order to observe movments of astronomical objects.
Mihran Vardanyan: We believe that this is a very important monument, it is very well preserved thus it will be very beneficial to study Qarahunge in order to better understand all the other henges in the world as well.
Stars & Stones Expedition has started their works at the monument on 13th September.
The team of 5 from Oxford University is currently carrying out the initial planning in order to perform laser scanning of the monument during the second stage of the expedition.
Mihran Vardanyan: Also we will be able to get high precision 3D-GPS map of the monument.
The means that by fixing just a couple of high precision GPS coordinates, and using them as an input for the laser scanning program we will be able to reconstruct exact 3D coordinates of every single point of the monument.
The research will be followed by a number of scientific publications. A documentary movie will be made.
A D. Phil student from Astrophysics department at Oxford University, Mihran Vardanyan is confident that the historical site posses all the properties to be included to UNESCO world heritage list. *
Mihran Vardanyan: Our main goal is to include the monument into the UNESCO world heritage list. *
I think a lot of people will come to Armenia when they will find out about it. Thousands/millions of tourists are visiting France and England, why can't they visit Armenia as well. *
Qarahunge, since 2009 has been made historical preservation place is depicted in Nicholas Howarth's notepad. As soon as they are back to Oxford the pictures along with the photos and results of the measurements will allow him to make new conclusions. *
Anna Avetisyan, Armen Ordukhanyan HayLur. *