The Rock-Cut Khachkar of Shahmasur

Architectural and compositional description

Large rock outcrops have been preserved in the “Ktoghnu Tala” area. Traces of individual structures are visible in the surroundings, probably representing the remains of a former rural settlement or monastic complex (certificate of the Ministry of Science, Education, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Artsakh).

Of particular interest is a rock outcrop measuring 5.3 × 3 m. Within a deliberately cut rectangular recess, beneath a decorative band bordered above by a three-arched motif, an interlaced central cross is carved, its arms terminating in triple-elliptical bifurcations. Further below, an interlaced band emerging from the lower arm of the central cross terminates in small crosses whose arms end in rounded lobes. In its overall composition, sculptural details, and carving technique, the monument does not differ substantially from ordinary 12th–13th-century khachkars.

Below and outside the composition is a six-line inscription (Figs. 3–5), which reads:

“In the year 1181. In the name of God, I, Khoreshah, erected this cross as an intercessor for my soul and for [the souls of] my children, an intercessor before Christ. Remember [us] in your prayers.”

It should be noted that there are differing readings of the date in the inscription. S. Barkhudaryan read it as “ՋԼ” (1481), while the certificate of the Ministry of Science, Education, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Artsakh gives the date as “ՈՉԸ” (1239).

According to H. Acharian, the name Khorishah derives from the Persian khurshah, literally meaning “sun king.” The Iranian name is masculine, whereas its Armenian form is feminine. As Acharian explains: “In Persian, Xursah means ‘sun king,’ which is naturally appropriate for a masculine name, whereas in Armenian Khorishah (xor-i sah) means ‘the king’s sun,’ which is appropriate for a feminine name” (Acharian 1942, 544).

Acharian records 15 instances of the feminine personal name Khorishah and one masculine personal name in the form Khorshah Paron. A khachkar was erected in memory of the latter in the village of Hors (Acharian 1942, 544–545). It should be noted that the personal name in the Shahmasur inscription is attested in the form Khoreshah. Judging from the content of the inscription — in the case of a female name, one might expect the woman to be identified as someone’s wife or daughter — it is more likely that the name here belonged to a man. This is a rare phenomenon in Armenian written sources and may provide additional information on the characteristics of medieval Armenian naming practices.

The monument is also significant as a component of the broader system of the historical and cultural heritage of Artsakh. It complements the picture provided by the medieval monuments of Shahmasur and the surrounding area, attesting to the importance of this settlement as one of the spiritual and cultural centers of Artsakh during the High Middle Ages.

The Condition before and after the war

There is currently no reliable information regarding the present condition or state of preservation of the monument.

Bibliography

1. Corpus Inscriptionum Armenicarum 1982 - Corpus Inscriptionum Armenicarum, vol. 5, Artsakh, compiled by S. Barkhudaryan, Publishing House of the Academy of Sciences of the Armenian SSR, Yerevan, 1982.
2. Certificate of the Ministry of Science, Education, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Artsakh.
3. Acharian 1942 - Acharian H., Dictionary of Armenian Personal Names, Yerevan, pp. 544–546.
4. Details: Khachkar on a Rock Outcrop, Shahmasur, Khachenaget Valley, Artsakh - (https://monumentwatch.org/hy/facts_and_details/%d5%b4%d5%a1%d5%b6%d6%80%շd5%a1%d5%b4%d5%a1%d5%bd%d5%b6%d5%a5%d6%80%d5%ad%d5%a1%d5%b9%d6%84%d5%a1%d6%80%d5%aa%d5%a1%d5%b5%d5%bc%d5%a1%d5%a2%d5%a5%d5%af%d5%b8%d6%80%d5%ab-%d5%be%d6%80%d5%a1-%d5%b7/)
5. List of Immovable Historical and Cultural Monuments of Artsakh - https://hy.wikipedia.org/wiki/։