Archaeologists discover one of the oldest Christian churches in the world

Recently, archaeologists discovered what they believe is one of the oldest Christian churches in the world.

The University of Münster announced the discovery of the fourth-century church in a press release in October. 11.

The school, which is located in Germany, teamed up with archaeologists from the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia to find the ancient ruins.

The remains of the ancient Christian building were found at the site of Artaxata on the Plain of Ararat.

Excavators have been digging there since 2018, but until recently found no remains.

“The discovery consists of an octagonal building with cross-shaped extensions,” explained the University of Münster.

“The team excavated parts of the church and studied it using geophysical methods.”

“Typologically, the find corresponds to early Christian memorial buildings,” the press release continued.

“In the cross-shaped extensions, researchers discovered the remains of wooden platforms, which were radiocarbon dated to the middle of the 4th century AD.”

The oldest Christian church buildings date back to the third and fourth centuries. The octagonal church at Artaxata had a floor made of mortar and terracotta tiles, and was about 100 feet in diameter.

There were also some marble fragments imported from the Mediterranean, which show that the church was “lavishly decorated”, experts say.

“The 4th-century building is the oldest archaeologically documented church in the country – sensational evidence for early Christianity in Armenia,” University of Münster professor Achim Lichtenberger said in a statement.

The discovery is fitting in Armenia, which the University of Münster says was the first Christian state ever established.

“According to legend, Gregory the Illuminator converted the Armenian king Tiridates III to Christianity at Artaxata in AD 301, making Armenia the first Christian state in the world,” the school explained.

“The medieval monastery of Khor Virap, just a stone’s throw from the present unearthed church, is a reminder of this tradition. Artaxata served as the capital of the Kingdom of Armenia, ruled by the Artaxiad and Arsacid dynasties,” the press release added.

“The city developed into an important metropolis in the Hellenistic period and was the capital of the Kingdom of Armenia for nearly six centuries.”