Ughtasar

Ughtasar is a mountain massif located in the central part of the Syunik Plateau, about 30 kilometers from the town of Sisian, at elevations between 3,000 and 3,300 meters above sea level. Its name—Ughtasar, meaning “Camel Mountain”—derives from its camel hump-like shape, situated between the Sev (Black) and Al (Red) Lakes. According to local ancient beliefs, pilgrims once made long and arduous journeys to this site to purify themselves and make offerings, often depicting their sacrifices or prayers on stone. Over 2,000 petroglyphs (rock carvings) have been discovered on the slopes of Ughtasar, near ancient volcanic craters, lakes, and ravines. These carvings are among the oldest archaeological monuments of Syunik, typically engraved on flat surfaces of copper-colored or black volcanic stones, with grooves measuring 2–6 mm in depth and 2–20 mm in width. The petroglyphs depict a wide range of scenes—from hunting episodes to natural landscapes and cosmological concepts, including strong evidence of sun worship. There are images of deer, predators, and symbolic figures that reflect the environmental awareness and spiritual life of the region's ancient inhabitants.