Cultural Heritage Monitoring Research Group

Objectives of the Subdivision

The “Cultural Heritage Monitoring” research group of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (NAS RA IAE) was established in January 2026. The research activities of the group members began earlier, in September 2023, within the framework of the scientific project titled “Interdisciplinary Armenian Cultural Heritage Studies” supported by the Higher Education and Scientific Committee of Armenia (project N: 23RL-6A006). During the implementation of this project, a stable collaborative research team and the main research directions were formed.

The primary mission of the group is to systematically study, document, preserve, and promote tangible and intangible cultural heritage within the territory of the Republic of Armenia, particularly in border and vulnerable communities.

The main objectives of the group are:

• Identification, study, and documentation of cultural heritage elements through field research
• Digitization of tangible and intangible cultural heritage and creation of a database
• Mapping of heritage sites using GIS methodology
• Organization of educational and training programs in communities
• Publication and dissemination of scientific results
• Development of international scientific cooperation

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Fields and Directions of Research

The group’s fields of study include:

• Tangible cultural heritage (monasteries, churches, khachkars, monuments, historic settlements, secular structures, etc.)
• Intangible cultural heritage (oral histories, memories, traditions)
• Study of cultural landscapes
• Modern methodologies for the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage

Research is conducted through an interdisciplinary approach that combines anthropological, source-critical, and digital humanities methods.

 

Research Conducted by the Group

Within the framework of the scientific project “Interdisciplinary Studies of Armenian Cultural Heritage” (code 23RL-6A006) implemented in 2023–2025, the group carried out the following activities:

• Field research in the Tavush, Gegharkunik, and Vayots Dzor regions, specifically in the communities of Acharkut, Barekamavan, Koti, Dovegh, Noyemberyan, Berd, Aygedzor, Movses, Chambarak, Gnishik, and Martiros.

During the fieldwork, the following were conducted:

• Identification and mapping of monuments
• Description of the actual condition of monuments, photography, and measurements
• Collection of oral histories from community residents through in-depth interviews
• Archiving and systematization of collected materials

Additional archival research was conducted at the National Archives of Armenia.

 

Creation of a Database

Within the project framework, a digital database is being created, comprising approximately 400 units of material. The AirTable platform and GIS methodology have been applied for data storage, classification, and mapping.

 

International Cooperation

The group has initiated international cooperation with several universities and research centers. In particular, collaboration has been established with the Center for the Study of the Christian East at the University of Salzburg.

 

Scientific and Educational Events Organized by the Group

Thanks to the established cooperation between the group and the NGO “Blue Shield Armenia,” three educational courses were successfully implemented in 2024–2025 in the Tavush, Syunik, and Gegharkunik regions. The courses were organized as autumn and summer schools, including both theoretical lectures and field practice.

The main objective of these initiatives was to deepen participants’ knowledge of the identification, study, and promotion of cultural heritage, while simultaneously fostering the sustainable development of community potential.

In cooperation with the Center for Armenian Studies at the University of Salzburg, the group also co-organized Armenian-Austrian international autumn schools in Tavush (2024 and 2025).