CEMETERY OF DSEGH
Location. The graveyard which occupies an area of about 6,000 km2 lies in the village of Dsegh (Lori Region, Republic of Armenia), surrounded with houses, at an altitude of 1,218 metres above sea level (N 40°57°33.60´´; E 044°38°59.28´´).
A Historical Introduction. It preserves a wide variety of funerary monuments which show that burials began here at least in the Early Middle Ages and continued with almost no intervals until the 19th century.
Monuments of Material Culture. The cemetery retains early medieval quadrilateral steles, a great number of simple and ornate cross-stones dating from the period between the High and Late Middle Ages, numerous pedestals mostly belonging to the khachkars of rich ornamentation as well as tombstones of varying styles (slab- and tent-shaped, rectangular, etc.). Most of the funerary monuments are inscribed.
Special mention should be made of a sculptured quadrilateral stele rising on a pedestal which is preserved in situ and dates back to the period between the 6th and 7th centuries. A 5-line inscription (scribe: Mkhitarich) which was engraved on the southern side of its base in the 13th century makes reference to Prince Vahram Mamikonian.
As far as artistic merits are concerned, especially noteworthy is a cross-stone called Amenaprkich, which was sculpted in 1281 by master Vahram and erected by Khalil’s son Terun and his brothers. The central part of the west-directed face of this elegant cross-stone bears a representation of the cross of Golgotha with crucified Jesus, His head turned to the Holy Virgin. Right and left of Christ can be seen reliefs of the sun and moon respectively, the former on a mythological bird and the latter on a bull. Adam’s head is carved beneath the cross. The cornice of the cross-stone, the surface and base of which bear a multi-line inscription, is engraved with the scene of the Ascension.
The remnants of an early medieval church are preserved at the northern edge of the cemetery. The whole site abounds in architectural fragments such as semi-cylindrical roof-covering slabs and finely-dressed revetment stones.
