**Ancient Armenian Church Unearthed in Historic Discovery**

Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking find with the unearthing of an ancient Armenian church believed to be almost 2,000 years old. This remarkable discovery positions the structure as the oldest documented church in Armenia and ranks it among the world’s oldest. The University of Münster in Germany, collaborating with the Armenian Academy of Sciences, officially announced the find and lauded it as a stunning reflection of early Christianity in the region.

The excavation took place in Artaxata, an ancient metropolis and former capital of the Armenian kingdom, renowned for its historical significance as a commercial hub. This dig is part of the broader Armenian-German Artaxata Project, which commenced in 2018 with the aim of delving into the area’s rich history.

The church, constructed in the 4th century A.D., coincides with the building of the Etchmiadzin Cathedral, often cited as the oldest cathedral globally and the first in Armenia. "The building, which dates back to the 4th century, is the oldest archaeologically documented church in the country - a sensational testimony to early Christianity in Armenia," said Achim Lichtenberger, a professor at the University of Münster involved in the project.

Mkrtich Zardaryan of the Armenian Academy of Sciences, another key figure in the project, highlighted that the church’s distinctive octagonal architecture sheds new light on Armenia's history. This shape, with rectangular chambers protruding from four sides, is unprecedented in Armenia but mirrors similar structures from the eastern Mediterranean dating back to the same period.

The church’s dimensions, about 100 feet across, featured flooring of mortar made from sand and cement and walls constructed from thick terracotta slabs, a material historically produced in Greece and Italy. The lavish decoration inferred from the remains suggests the import of terracotta from the Mediterranean. Additionally, remnants of wooden platforms, authenticated via carbon dating, affirmed the ancient origins of the church.