The upper highly decorative portion of the Amenaprkitch (All Savior) Khachkar, or cross stone, dates from 1273 and is part of the Haghpat Monastery UNESCO World Heritage site. This masterwork, with intricate woven design carving, iconography, and insriptions, has rich colors and depiction of the cruxifition of Christ with the Virgin Mary, the Magdalene, the 12 apostles, and numerous angels. The upper part of this meters high carving sits in a passageway and is hard to adequately see. Our 3D laser scanning is helping to preserve and study the epigraphy and iconography. These stones have been impacted by cultural vandalism, surface degradation, and breakage and are critically imperiled. Reports show the destruction of tens of thousands of these UNESCO-protected ancient stone carvings has occurred and with their loss, the erasure of Armenian heritage. Project in collaboration: Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin - governing body of the Armenian Apostolic Church
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