ՏԱՐԵՐԱՅԻՆ ԱՂԵՏՆԵՐՆ ՈՒ ԵՐԿՆԱՅԻՆ ԵՐԵՎՈՒՅԹՆԵՐԸ ՎԻՄԱԳՐԵՐՈՒՄ ՄԱՍ ԵՐՐՈՐԴ: ԵՐԱՇՏ, ՄՈՐԵԽ

Abstract

Numerous evidences about weather anomalies and climate changes, especially intense heat, water scarcity, seed drying, locust and larva activation, as well as about drought have been preserved in colophons of the Armenian manuscripts, chronicles, as well as in ethnographic materials and folklore, which are reflected in epigraphic monuments too. In fact, in order to prevent drought people often performed the rain-related and hay land rituals, erected monuments, sacrificed animals etc. Usually, the drought was accompanied by shortage of bread, famine and epidemics. Some interesting epigraphs dated back to the 19-20th centuries known from Zolakar, Agarak (originally from Vahravar village), Shosh, Zar and one’s preserved on the khachkar (12-13th cc.) located Aygedzor village not far from “Aghjkaberd” castle, the inscription of which testifies to difficulty bring the monument, to bless it solemnly and to the erection in intercession to Christ for the terrible days.