Situated on a wind-swept plateau not far from the town of Sisian lies one of earths greatest archaeological puzzles. Hundreds of standing stones arranged in a circular pattern with north and south arms have stood here for thousands of years. They are known as Zorats Karer, or more recently, Carahunge. Zorats Karer’s name, meaning stone warriors, comes from a legend that military leaders are buried at the depths of the standing stones. Scholars are actively debating the meaning and use of the site, with no general consensus. Many believe it to be an astronomical observatory, which would make it one of the very first in the world. Others lean that it is more simply a prehistoric settlement and burial complex.

The history of the enigmatic site possibly dates as far back as 7,500 years ago, some scholars even suggested much earlier dates. This places the age several thousand years older than a very similar, but much more famous monument, Stonehenge. Over 200 hundred standing stones are found in this relatively small area, over 80 of them with holes precisely carved through the rock. It certainly adds to the mystery, but it gives further credence to the observatory theory. This site, and others such as Gobekli Tepe, proves there is much to be learned about the history of man on this amazing planet.