In the Armenian language, in the semantic (thematic) group “personal jewelry” the common word is the word “ornament”, which has a great word-forming activity. The first jewelry appeared together with clothes being an expression not of fantasy and aesthetics, but of mystical ideas. There is evidence of names of various kinds of gems and jewelry of the 5th century (or earlier), which, according to genealogy, are represented by the following groups: a) native Armenian words, b) Iranian borrowings, c) Greek borrowings, d) Assyrian borrowings, e) Arabic borrowings, f) Turkic borrowings. Words of unknown origin are also highlighted.

Keywords"personal jewelry" semantic field borrowing bracelet ring earring necklace bib (brooch) head and hair jewelry gold silver.

In the XIX-XX centuries, active water construction works were carried out on the territory of Armenia. An important part of this process was the territory of the current Tavush marz. Educated specialists, one of whom was Hovsep Abovyants, made a great contribution to the construction of reservoirs, springs and irrigation systems in the region. We are informed about the details of this construction works and current costs from his handwritten diary.

KeywordsHovsep Abovyants Tavush Koti Barekamavan Alaverdi family archive diary memorial wellspring well road construction.

According to historiographer Stepanos Orbelyan, a fortification was erected around Tatev Monastery at the beginning of the 10th century on the initiative of the spiritual leader of Syunik, Bishop Hovhannes (1006–1058). In the first and second halves of the 11th century, on the initiative of Bishops Hovhannes and Gregory (1058–1116), arched gates with apses and churches were built over the western and eastern entrances adjacent to the fortification. The western entrance with its apses of St. Karapet did not reach us, but in the 1980s, the eastern entrance near the northern fortification was restored together with the one-nave and over the gate churches of Holy Mother of God (built in 1087).

KeywordsTatev Monastery Stepanos Orbelyan old and new entrances of the fortification construction of the spring archaeological excavations epigraphic inscription manuscript mention.

The ethnographic collections kept in the History Museum of Armenia contain items that shed light on certain features of the people’s traditions, beliefs and rituals. The museum has samples of votive offerings to saints which differ from the usual oblations. These are covenant gifts, which people took to sanctuaries (church, monastery, chapel, khachkar, sacred tree, a house where there was a sacred corner) to seek help from the saints, to fulfill their desires.

Keywordsvow offering sanctuary healing gratitude iron human figurine parts of body torc cross.