The Armenian Highlands: A Thousand Years Before Urartu

Long before the Kingdom of Urartu or the Artaxiad dynasty, the Armenian Highlands were home to some of the earliest complex societies in the ancient Near East. This episode takes you back to the Bronze and Iron Ages, exploring the Trialeti-Vanadzor culture, the mysterious Hayasa-Azzi confederation, and the Nairi tribal lands that eventually gave rise to Urartu. We look at the archaeological evidence from sites like Metsamor and Lchashen, where intricate goldwork and massive cyclopean fortresses hint at sophisticated kingdoms lost to history. We also examine the controversial theory of an Armenian-Phrygian migration and what ancient inscriptions—from Hittite, Assyrian, and Urartian sources—tell us about the languages and peoples of the highlands. Join Lucas and Luna as they piece together the shadowy early history of a land that would become Armenia. #ArmenianHighlands #TrialetiVanadzor #HayasaAzzi #Nairi #Metsamor #Lchashen #Urartu #BronzeAge #IronAge #CyclopeanFortresses #Hittites #Assyrians #Phrygians #AncientNearEast #Archaeology #Prehistory #History #FexingoHistory #ArmenianHistory #MountArarat Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo