Geghard Foundation: Results of genetic and archaeological studies confirm Armenian trace in Bolgar

ArmInfo. The results of genetic  and archaeological studies have confirmed the presence of an Armenian  trace in Volga Bulgaria, located in the Volga region, as well as  their significant influence on architecture and important role in the  economic and cultural life of the region.

As noted in a message received by ArmInfo from the Geghard  Foundation, the study was conducted by scientists from the Sirius  University of Science and Technology  of the Russian Federation in  cooperation with the Vavilov Institute of General Genetics of the  Russian Academy of Sciences and the Research Institute of  Anthropology of Moscow State University. According to the data  obtained, the Armenian trace begins to be traced back to the Middle  Ages, especially in the period from the 10th to the 11th centuries.

As part of the study, scientists studied the DNA of three individuals  buried near the  "Greek Palace." According to the researchers,  the  "Greek Palace" , a small Christian chapel, is most likely of   Armenian origins. They came to this conclusion during excavations of  the chapel's ruins  and adjacent southern and southeastern areas,  where archaeologists discovered and examined 113 Christian burials.  Thus, according to the source, genomic analysis of two men confirmed  their Armenian origin, which indicates migration from the Caucasus or  Anatolia.

"This means that their ancestors came from the south, probably as  traders or artisans," the report explains.  Additionally, the  Foundation noted that archaeological excavations at the "Greek  palace" were carried out twice: first  in 1916 by V. F. Smolin, and  later  in the mid-1940s by A. P. Smirnov. The structural and  dimensional features of the chapel, along with tombstones bearing   Armenian inscriptions, allowed researchers to associate  it   14th-century Armenian churches in Noravank, Theodosia and Old   Crimea.  As a result of the excavations, it was also established that  the objects found in some burial pits resemble the work of Armenian  artisans from medieval  Ani.  "The reconstruction of skulls from this  cemetery revealed characteristics of the Armenoid type among the  buried individuals. One of them was identified as a Chinese woman. It  appears that many Christians living in Bolgar found their final  resting place in the cemetery of the Armenian colony," the Foundation  concluded.