The war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh on September 27, 2020, and the subsequent developments (the transfer of Artsakh’s historical territory under Azerbaijan’s control and the complete depopulation of Artsakh of its Armenian population) demonstrate that the systematic destruction of Armenian heritage has directly violated the cultural rights of the Armenians of Artsakh–depriving them of the ability to preserve and pass on their heritage to future generations. These destructions continue to this day on an alarming scale, deepening the crisis and erasing the Armenian presence in Artsakh.

In ancient Armenia there were various types of sanctuaries and sacred places. They served the purpose of worship and its various manifestations, in which the ritual, its traditions and customs were significant and important. In archaic times the petroglyph environment was also a unique sacred area. The votive elements, in various forms of expressions, are present in many scenes and compositions.