A group of standing stones
Near the town of Sisian, at an altitude of 1,770 meters, the archaeological site of Zorats Karer covers about 7 hectares of a mountain plateau. The site consists of 223 large basalt stones, some reaching 3 meters in height and weighing up to 10 tons. These megaliths are arranged into several distinct features: a central circle, arms extending to the north and south, a northeast alley, and other separate standing stones.
A notable feature of the monument is the 84 stones that have smooth, circular holes bored through their upper sections. These apertures are typically 4-5 centimeters in diameter. The name Carahunge (or Karahunj) is sometimes interpreted as "speaking stones," a reference to the whistling sounds the wind makes as it passes through these holes. The site's other common name, Zorats Karer, translates to "army of stones."
An observatory or a necropolis?
The purpose of Zorats Karer is a scientific debate. One prominent hypothesis suggests it was a prehistoric astronomical observatory. This idea was first explored in the mid-1980s and later extensively promoted by radiophysicist Paris Herouni. Between 1994 and 2001, Herouni's expeditions concluded that specific holes were aligned to observe the sun, moon, and certain stars. He proposed that some stones align with the star Deneb in the constellation Cygnus. This research led to a controversial claim that the site is 7,500 years old, potentially making it one of the world's oldest observatories.
A different interpretation comes from archaeological excavations that suggest a later origin. A team from the University of Munich identified Zorats Karer as primarily a necropolis, or large burial ground, dating from the Middle Bronze Age to the Iron Age (roughly 2000–1000 BCE). Researchers found numerous stone burial cists from this period within the site. This view posits the site was a place for burial and related rituals, and not astronomical observation. Some archaeologists also note that the holes in the stones are relatively unweathered, which could indicate a more recent origin, and that not a single astronomical tool has been found during excavations. The debate continues, with ongoing research aiming to resolve the monument's true age and function.