Geghama Mountains Range

Length: 72 km
Highest peak: Mount Azhdahak (3,597 m)
Coordinates: 40․132978, 44․565568

Geghama mountains range has a volcanic origin, as it consists of many extinct volcanoes. The length of the range is 70 km, and the width is 48km. The highest peak is Mount Azhdahak (3597 m).

At the base of the mountain range, there are heterogeneous Cretaceous and Paleogene rocks, while on the surface, Pliocene and anthropogenic volcanic formations predominate. The structure of the massif is uneven. The eastern slopes, gently descending, gradually transition into the near-Sevan lava fields. Steep western slopes descend into the Razdan Valley, forming a foothill zone with volcanoes such as Atis, Gutanasar, Menakasar, and others. The watershed zone is a hilly plateau, with an elevation of 2800-3000 meters, featuring volcanic cones (Ajdaak, Sevqatar) and residual domes of eruptions (Spitakasar, Geghasar, Gndasar).

The climate is moderately continental, characterized by cool and brief summers, as well as cold winters. The high peaks experience a cold mountain climate. The average annual temperature ranges from -2°C to +4°C, varying from lowlands to mountain tops. The overall annual precipitation ranges from 500 to 900 mm. Rivers such as Azat, Vedi, Argichi, Gavaraget, Bakhtak, and others originate from the mountain slopes. Of particular interest in the Geghama Range is Lake Akna.

The southwestern slopes of the Geghama Mountains are part of the Khosrov Forest Reserve. The vegetation on these slopes follows a zonal pattern, characterized by changes in altitude. Up to an elevation of 2800 meters, mountain steppes prevail, while above this level, subalpine and marshy meadows dominate. Oak and juniper forests can be found on the western slopes. Among the animals, there are hares, wolves, foxes, bears, as well as reptiles such as lizards and snakes. The region is also home to a diverse range of bird species.

The range is named after Patriarch Gegham, one of the ancestors of the Armenian nation. According to tradition, Gegham, who was a handsome man of giant stature, ruled for 50 years, his name being associated with a number of toponyms of the Armenian Highland such as Geghama Tsov (Gegham’s Sea, namely Lake Sevan), Geghama Mountains, Geghamabak, Geghamashen, Geghamavan, Geghami and Gegharkuni.

Petroglyphs

The Geghama Mountains are rich in petroglyphs that were created several millennia ago and are unique in the world in terms of number, large variety of images, diversity of themes and used techniques. The scenes presented in these petroglyphs reflect the world outlook as well as the material and spiritual life of the ancient inhabitants of the Armenian Highland, helping form an idea about their everyday life, habits and beliefs.

Scholars hold that part of the images carved on rocks are ideograms or symbols which later formed the basis for alphabet-based writing systems. Many petroglyphs of the Geghama Mountains are carved on gigantic rocks, mostly on surfaces with metallic lustre (the main tools were mallets and cutters).

The images portray a wide variety of wild animals, including both those that still live in the Geghama Mountains and those which are no longer found in the Republic of Armenia. Animals, birds, human figures, celestial bodies, images of gods and various objects are depicted both separately and in clusters.

Dragon stones of the Geghama Mountains

The Geghama Mountains are also home to a special type of upright stone slabs called vishap (dragon) or vishapakar (dragon stone) in Armenian. These are unique monuments that can be found only on the territory of the Armenian Highland, usually erected at the sources of springs and rivers as well as at lakes and reservoirs to protect water against evil dragons. Dragon stones also symbolise the reawakening of nature, the unbridled power of its elements as well as fertility and abundance.

One of the vishapakars located in Yerevan is installed on the territory of Matenadaran. This is a fish-like sculpture with a bullhead at the top. Two more dragon stones are located in the Nor Nork district, near Gayi Avenue. One of them looks like a fish, and in the upper part of the other dragon stone is depicted a bull’s head and water seems to flow out from its mouth.

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