Areni-1 cave
In the heart of Vayots Dzor is situated Areni-1 cave, also known as “Bird Cave”. During the excavations in 2007, findings related to winemaking were found in the cave. The structural features of the cave made it possible to use it as a winepress, the compressed grapes flowed in a special sloping place, where it matured to the appropriate degree.
Huge vases were buried in the ground near the vineyard, in which the ramins of grapes and hollow reed stems were found. At present, this wine complex is considered to be the oldest in the world and attributes to the 4th millennium BC.
No one lived inside the cave, and the consumption of wine was a ritual for them.
Areni-1 cave
In 2008, the world’s oldest shoe was discovered in Areni-1 cave. Areni 1 shoe or 5500-year-old leather shoe was in excellent condition. It is several hundred years older than “Ötzi the Iceman”, which is the oldest piece of leather shoe in the world. According to the excavated archeologists, the footwear dates back to 3600-3500 BC.