2026/05/04 by Vahe Gurzadyan, Arsen Bobokhyan, Արսեն Բոբոխյան
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Social Sciences · Arts and Humanities · #Archaeology and ancient environmental studies #Eurasian Exchange Networks #Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and History
paper · pdf · doi:10.1038/s40494-026-02603-7
<title>Abstract</title> Vishaps -- dragon stones -- discovered in Armenian Highlands are shown to carry a remarkable message regarding the spiritual and social content of their epoch, c.4000 BC. The unexpected bimodal distribution of their elevations reveals the deliberate labor-intensive construction and locations of the weighty, up to 7–9 tons, items in conditions of far limited activity periods available at high altitudes. Their locations, correlated with the nodes of previously discovered prehistoric irrigation systems, support their dedication to the cult of water. This reveals the existence of an organized unitary society capable to possess and serve such a resource-consuming cult.