“Astronomical Heritage in the National Culture” an archaeoastronomical meeting devoted to Anania Shirakatsi’s 1400^th anniversary
	combined with ArAS IX Annual Meeting
	28-29 October 2010, Byurakan, Armenia

A meeting on Archaeoastronomy dedicated to the 1400^th anniversary of Anania Shirakatsi will take place on October 28-29, 2010 in the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO), Armenia. The meeting is being organized jointly by BAO, Institute of History, Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, and Matenadaran.

Talks on the Armenian rock art, ancient calendars, astronomical terminology, ancient observatories and astronomical instruments, records of astronomical events by ancient Armenians, Anania Shirakatsi’s heritage, etc. will be presented by astronomers, historians and archaeologists. Discussions on organizations of the archaeoastronomy matters in Armenia will be held.

Anania Shirakatsi (610-685) was the greatest Armenian scientist of the middle ages: philosopher, mathematician, astronomer, geographer, chronologist, the founder of the exact and natural sciences in Armenia. He in fact was the founder of the astronomy in Armenia. He supported the spherical hypothesis of the Earth, suggested a correct interpretation of the Milky Way, explained the Solar and Lunar eclipses. Shirakatsi had a number of chronological works; chronological calculations, tables, he has written several books. Most of the Armenian names of the constellations and stars used nowadays also come from Shirakatsi.

Scientific Organizing Committee (SOC): Elma Parsamian (BAO, Chair), Pavel Avetisyan (Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology), Haik Harutyunian (BAO), Ashot Melkonyan (Institute of History), Areg Mickaelian (BAO), Hrach Tamrazyan (Matenadaran).

Local Organizing Committee (LOC): Haik Harutyunian and Areg Mickaelian, Co-Chairs.

Tentative program

28 October, Thursday

10:00-11:30 Scientific session 1. Archaeoastronomy in Armenia

11:30-12:00 Coffee break

12:00-13:30 Scientific session 2. Rock art and calendar

13:30-15:00 Lunch

15:00-16:30 Scientific session 3. Ancient Observatories: Karahunge and others

29 October, Friday

10:00-11:30 Scientific session 4. Astronomical events in the history

11:30-12:00 Coffee break

12:00-13:30 Scientific session 5. Anania Shirakatsi and Armenian medieval astronomy

13:30-15:00 Lunch

15:00-16:30 Discussion and summary

16:30-17:00 Coffee break

17:00-19:00 Excursion in the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory

19:00-21:00 Closing Dinner