# Sotk

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[40°12′11″N 45°51′53″E / 40.20306°N 45.86472°E / 40.20306; 45.86472](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Sotk&params=40_12_11_N_45_51_53_E_)

Place in Gegharkunik, Armenia

Sotk Սոթք Mountains around Sotk Sotk Show map of Armenia Sotk Show map of Gegharkunik Coordinates: 40°12′11″N 45°51′53″E / 40.20306°N 45.86472°E / 40.20306; 45.86472 Country Armenia Province Gegharkunik Municipality Vardenis Founded 15th century Elevation 2,032 m (6,667 ft) Population (2011)[1] • Total 824 Time zone UTC+4 (AMT) Sotk at GEOnet Names Server

**Sotk** ([Armenian](/source/Armenian_language): Սոթք) is a village in the [Vardenis Municipality](/source/Vardenis_Municipality) of the [Gegharkunik Province](/source/Gegharkunik_Province) of [Armenia](/source/Armenia), well known for its gold mines.[2]

## Etymology

According to J. Markwart and [N. Adonts](/source/Nicholas_Adontz), the name Sotk may be connected to the name of a tribe called *Tsavde* (*atsvots*) mentioned in ancient Armenian sources,[3] while others connect it with the toponym *Suta* (or *Shuta*) of the [Hittite](/source/Hittites) sources[3] (the presence of the Hittites was proposed in the vicinity of [Lake Sevan](/source/Lake_Sevan) in 2009).[4] According to the 13th century Armenian historian, [Stepanos Orbelian](/source/Stepanos_Orbelian), the town and its respective canton were named after the cold and stormy weather.[5]

## History

7th century St. Astvatsatsin Church in Sotk

Map of Syunik (pink) in the 9th century

Sotk has been well known for its mines throughout its history. The mines may have been exploited as early as the 2nd millennium BC, evidenced by the discovery of pits, funnels covered with grass, underground workings, wooden tools, stone mortars, washing pots, and more. The mines were used with interruptions until the 14th century AD, and later rediscovered in the 20th century.

### Bronze Age

Materials, cemeteries, weapons, bones, and everyday life objects, belonging to the early [Bronze Age](/source/Bronze_Age), have been found in complexes of settlements around the Sotk mountain pass.[6] During this time, gold may have been acquired by [alluvial](/source/Alluvium) way, while real mining may have begun in the later Bronze Age.[7]

On the southern slope of the mine, ruins of a large ancient settlement are visible, from where a grass-covered path led to the mine (in 1954, this path would be turned into a road for miners). The river valley is covered by artificial oval terraces which steep from the side towards the river flow.[8] West of Sotk, around the nearby town of modern [Vardenis](/source/Vardenis), are some [cyclopean](/source/Cyclopean_masonry) fortresses, with corresponding cemeteries from the 2nd and 1st millennium BC, among which is [Tsovak](/source/Tsovak), where there is a [cuneiform](/source/Cuneiform_script) inscription by [Urartian](/source/Urartu) king [Sarduri II](/source/Sarduri_II). To the north is a settlement of the [Kura-Araxes culture](/source/Kura%E2%80%93Araxes_culture). Many other such ruins can be found near Sotk such as in [Chambarak](/source/Chambarak), indicating the Lake Sevan basin was a significant region, controlled from centers like Ishtikuni ([Lchashen](/source/Lchashen)) and confederations of chiefdoms, such as the *Uduri-Etiuni* and *Uelikuni* (both of which seem to have been Armenian etymologically) mentioned in Urartian sources. Elite tombs in Lchashen were rich with gold, which, according to metallurgical analyses, would have derived from Sotk.[9]

### Antiquity to Middle Ages

At some point during the late [Iron Age](/source/Iron_Age), the [highlands](/source/Armenian_Highlands) known as "Urartu" became known as "Armenia" (see [Urartu § Fall](/source/Urartu#Fall)). As the [first Armenian political entity](/source/Satrapy_of_Armenia) expanded eastwards, the regions around Sotk were incorporated as core regions of ancient Armenia.

During [Antiquity](/source/Ancient_history) and the [Middle Ages](/source/Middle_Ages), Sotk was part of [Syunik](/source/Syunik_(historic_province)), one of the [regions](/source/Historical_regions_of_Armenia) of the [ancient](/source/Kingdom_of_Armenia_(antiquity)) and the [medieval](/source/Bagratid_Armenia) kingdoms of Armenia, where it served as the capital of the region of the same name. Its location on the mountain pass was at a strategic point on the medieval [Dvin](/source/Dvin_(ancient_city))-[Partav](/source/Barda%2C_Azerbaijan) road, connecting the southern and eastern regions of the [South Caucasus](/source/South_Caucasus).[8]

The 7th century St. Astvatsatsin Church, an Armenian basilica church with 13th century [khachkars](/source/Khachkars) in its walls is located in the village.[10][11]

### Late modern period

The modern village was only founded in 1829,[12][*[non-primary source needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:No_original_research#Primary,_secondary_and_tertiary_sources)*] and its official name was *Zod* ([Armenian](/source/Armenian_language): Զոդ).[13][*[verification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability)*] The village had an [Azerbaijani](/source/Azerbaijanis)-majority population before the [exodus](/source/Azerbaijanis_in_Armenia#Nagorno-Karabakh_conflict) of Azerbaijanis from Armenia after the outbreak of the [Nagorno-Karabakh conflict](/source/Nagorno-Karabakh_conflict). From 1988 and onwards, Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan settled in the village.[12][14]

In September 2022, Sotk as well as several other Armenian towns, including [Vardenis](/source/Vardenis) (Gegharkunik Province), [Goris](/source/Goris) ([Syunik Province](/source/Syunik_Province)) and [Jermuk](/source/Jermuk) ([Vayots Dzor Province](/source/Vayots_Dzor_Province)), [came under attack](/source/September_2022_Armenia%E2%80%93Azerbaijan_clashes) by [Azerbaijani Armed Forces](/source/Azerbaijani_Armed_Forces). Many residential houses were damaged as a result of the shelling; people were displaced from their homes.[15][16]

## Gold mine

Sotk Gold Mine

Main article: [Sotk gold mine](/source/Sotk_gold_mine)

A gold mine near the village, called Sotk (Zod), is one of the largest gold deposits in the [South Caucasus](/source/South_Caucasus).[17] It is located on the border of [Kalbajar District](/source/Kalbajar_District) in Azerbaijan and [Gegharkunik Province](/source/Gegharkunik_Province) of [Armenia](/source/Armenia).[18] Kalbajar District was administrated by the breakaway [Republic of Artsakh](/source/Republic_of_Artsakh) from its control by Armenian forces in 1993 after the [Battle of Kalbajar](/source/Battle_of_Kalbajar), near the end of the [First Nagorno-Karabakh War](/source/First_Nagorno-Karabakh_War),[19] until 2020, when the Armenian side handed it over to Azerbaijan according to the [ceasefire agreement](/source/2020_Nagorno-Karabakh_ceasefire_agreement), ending the [2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war](/source/2020_Nagorno-Karabakh_war).[20]

Azerbaijani forces entered the district on 25 November,[21] and on 26 November, Armenian media reported that a group of 250 Azerbaijani soldiers had arrived at the gold mine, and demanded its handover,[22] establishing a military post at the mine.[23] The Armenian defense ministry refuted this account,[24] stating that Azerbaijani forces, having found an Armenian border checkpoint unacceptable, contacted the Armenian side via loudspeaker and negotiated with Russian peacekeepers over the issue. Armenian and Azerbaijani authorities started to demarcate the border on the same day.[25] Armenian military authorities then stated that half of the mine area was now in Azerbaijan, given the new border between the two countries.[26]

## Demographics

### Population

According to [Statistical Committee of Armenia](/source/Statistical_Committee_of_Armenia) 2011 census, the villages' current population is 824.

## Gallery

		- Nature around Sotk

		- St. Astvatsatsin Armenian Church interior

		- Armenian Khachkar in Sotk

		- Entrance with [khachkars](/source/Khachkar) to the St. Astvatsatsin Armenian Church

		- Mountains around Sotk

		- Railroad station in Sotk

## See also

- [Yeni Zod](/source/Yeni_Zod)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2011census_1-0)** [Statistical Committee of Armenia](/source/Statistical_Committee_of_Armenia). ["The results of the 2011 Population Census of Armenia"](https://www.armstat.am/file/article/1._bajin_1_182-311.pdf) (PDF).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Kiesling_2-0)** Kiesling, Brady; Kojian, Raffi (2005). *Rediscovering Armenia: Guide* (2nd ed.). Yerevan: Matit Graphic Design Studio. p. 82. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [99941-0-121-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/99941-0-121-8).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-HakobyanTCH_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-HakobyanTCH_3-1) Hakobyan T.Ch., Melik-Bakhshyan S.T., Barseghyan H.Ch., *Hayastani ev harakits shrjanneri teghanunneri bararan (Toponymical Dictionary of Armenia and Surrounding Regions)*, v. 2, 313, Yerevan, 1988–2001.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Petrosyan A., *The ‘Eastern Hittites’* in the South and East of the Armenian Highland? Armenian Journal of Near Eastern Studies IV/1 (2009), pp. 63–72

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Աբրահամյան, Ա․ Ա․ (1986). *ՍՏԵՓԱՆՈՍ ՕՐԲԵԼՅԱՆ ՍՅՈՒՆԻՔԻ ՊԱՏՄՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ* (in Armenian). Երևան: Սովետական գրող. p. 70.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Xnkikyan O.S. (1977). *Arhestnery bronzedaryan Hayastanum (Crafts in Bronze Age Armenia)*. Yerevan. p. 14.{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_location_missing_publisher))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Gevorgyan A., Zalibekyan М. (2007). *Kalantaryan*. p. 30.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-MetallurgyOfAncientArmenia_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-MetallurgyOfAncientArmenia_8-1) Aram Gevorgyan, Arsen Bobokhyan ["METALLURGY OF ANCIENT ARMENIA IN CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT"](http://armstudies.asj-oa.am/38/1/47.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180501224614/http://armstudies.asj-oa.am/38/1/47.pdf) 1 May 2018 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *[Armenian National Academy of Sciences](/source/Armenian_National_Academy_of_Sciences)*. Retrieved on 1 May 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Xnkikyan O.S. (1977). *Arhestnery bronzedaryan Hayastanum (Crafts in Bronze Age Armenia)*. Yerevan. p. 18.{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_location_missing_publisher))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Armenia: Gegharkunik Province Guidebook by Svetlana Dingarac – Issuu"](https://issuu.com/svetlanadingarac/docs/gegharkunik_guide_book-3). 25 November 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Գեղարքունիք Գեղարքունիքի մարզ Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն"](https://web.archive.org/web/20211024095608/https://ostarmenia.com/hy/gegharqunik-%D5%A3%D5%A5%D5%B2%D5%A1%D6%80%D6%84%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B6%D5%AB%D6%84/). Archived from [the original](https://ostarmenia.com/hy/gegharqunik-%D5%A3%D5%A5%D5%B2%D5%A1%D6%80%D6%84%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B6%D5%AB%D6%84/) on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-GegharkunikSotk_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-GegharkunikSotk_12-1) ["ՍՈԹՔ"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220722054946/https://gegharkunik.am/node/112). *gegharkunik.am*. Archived from [the original](https://gegharkunik.am/node/112) on 22 July 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Ադամյան, Ն., ed. *Հայկական ՍՍՌ վարչա-տերիտորիալ բաժանումը: Առ 1-ը մարտի 1964 թ.* Երևան : Հայաստան , 1964; p. 34, 79

1. **[^](#cite_ref-reliefweb_14-0)** ["Waiting to go home: The plight of Nagorno-Karabakh's refugees"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060715020023/http://www2.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/ACOS-64D8TN?OpenDocument). *reliefweb.int*. ReliefWeb. 3 June 2003. Archived from [the original](http://www2.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/ACOS-64D8TN?OpenDocument) on 15 July 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["PanARMENIAN.Net – Mobile"](https://panarmenian.net/m/arm/news/302541). *panarmenian.net*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Ադրբեջանական հարձակման հետևանքով առնվազն 2570 անձ տեղահանվել է. ՄԻՊ"](https://www.1lurer.am/hy/2022/09/14/Ադրբեջանական-հարձակման-հետևանքով-առնվազն-2570-անձ-տեղահանվել-է-ՄԻՊ/795272). *www.1lurer.am*. 14 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Kelbajar gold deposits to remain on territory of Azerbaijan"](https://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/Kelbajar%C2%A0gold-depositsto-remain-on-territory-of-Azerbaijan.html). *Vestnik Kavkaza*. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Azərbaycan MN Zod mədəni ilə bağlı yayılan xəbərlərə şərh verməyib"](https://www.bbc.com/azeri/live/azerbaijan-54577122?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=5fc0dedf10a1c302d6fbecec%26Az%C9%99rbaycan%20MN%20Zod%20m%C9%99d%C9%99ni%20il%C9%99%20ba%C4%9Fl%C4%B1%20yay%C4%B1lan%20x%C9%99b%C9%99rl%C9%99r%C9%99%20%C5%9F%C9%99rh%20verm%C9%99yib%262020-11-27T11%3A42%3A42.951Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:c9a5197d-4efa-4ec4-b10e-eb521784e57c&pinned_post_asset_id=5fc0dedf10a1c302d6fbecec&pinned_post_type=share). *BBC Azerbaijani Service* (in Azerbaijani). 27 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Year: 1993), UN Security Council (48th (12 November 1993). ["Resolution 884 (1993) /: adopted by the Security Council at its 3313th meeting, on 12 November 1993"](https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/176731) – via digitallibrary.un.org.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_numeric_names:_authors_list))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Azerbaijani army enters Kalbajar, region returned by Armenia"](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/25/azerbaijani-army-enters-kalbajar-region-returned-by-armenia). *[Al Jazeera](/source/Al_Jazeera_English)*. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Azerbaijani leader vows to revive region ceded by Armenia"](https://apnews.com/article/international-news-azerbaijan-armenia-f1ce47fea3ecb8f85f9b7670f385343c). *[Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press)*. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Глава общины Гегамасар: "Азербайджанские ВС отошли назад в районе Сотка в Армении""](https://armenianreport.com/ru/pubs/266347/). *ArmenianReport*. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["В Генштабе ВС Армении не видят поводов для волнения из-за появления азербайджанских солдат в Сотке"](https://armenianreport.com/ru/pubs/266327/). *ArmenianReport*. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Ghazanchyan, Siranush (26 November 2020). ["Azerbaijani troops have not entered the area of Sotk gold mine – Defense Ministry"](https://en.armradio.am/2020/11/26/azerbaijani-troops-have-not-entered-the-area-of-sotk-gold-mine-defense-ministry/). *[Public Radio of Armenia](/source/Public_Radio_of_Armenia)*. Retrieved 27 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** Aghalaryan, Kristine (26 November 2020). ["Azerbaijani troops have not entered the area of Sotk gold mine – Defense Ministry"](https://hetq.am/en/article/124762). *Hetq.am*. Retrieved 27 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** Ghukasyan, Seda (27 November 2020). ["Half of Sotk Gold Mine Now in Azerbaijan, Says Armenian Military Official"](https://hetq.am/en/article/124778). *Hetq.am*. Retrieved 27 November 2020.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Sotk](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Sotk).

- [World Gazeteer: Armenia](http://world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gcis&lng=en&des=wg&geo=-17&srt=npan&col=abcdefghinoq&msz=1500&pt=c&va=x)[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] – World-Gazetteer.com

- [Report of the results of the 2001 Armenian Census](https://armstat.am/file/doc/146.pdf), [Statistical Committee of Armenia](/source/Statistical_Committee_of_Armenia)

- Kiesling, Brady (June 2000). [*Rediscovering Armenia: An Archaeological/Touristic Gazetteer and Map Set for the Historical Monuments of Armenia*](https://corpora.tika.apache.org/base/docs/govdocs1/280/280968.pdf) (PDF). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211106180826/https://corpora.tika.apache.org/base/docs/govdocs1/280/280968.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 6 November 2021.

v t e Gegharkunik Province Capital: Gavar Urban settlements Chambarak Gavar Martuni Sevan Vardenis Chambarak Municipality Antaramej Artsvashen Aygut Barepat Chapkut Dprabak Dzoravank Getik Kalavan Martuni (village) Ttujur Vahan Gavar Municipality Berdkunk Gandzak Gegharkunik Hayravank Karmirgyugh Lanjaghbyur Lchap Noratus Sarukhan Tsaghkashen Tsovazard Martuni Municipality Artsvanist Astghadzor Atdash Dzoragyugh Geghhovit Lernakert Lichk Madina Nerkin Getashen Nshkhark Tsakkar Tsovasar Tsovinar Vaghashen Vardadzor Vardenik Verin Getashen Yeranos Zolakar Sevan Municipality Chkalovka Ddmashen Gagarin Geghamavan Lchashen Norashen Semyonovka Tsaghkunk Tsovagyugh Varser Zovaber Shoghakat Municipality Aghberk Artanish Drakhtik Jil Shoghakat Tsapatagh Vardenis Municipality Akhpradzor Akunk Areguni Arpunk Avazan Ayrk Azat Daranak Geghakar Geghamabak Geghamasar Jaghatsadzor Kakhakn Karchaghbyur Khachaghbyur Kut Kutakan Lchavan Lusakunk Makenis Mets Masrik Nerkin Shorzha Norabak Norakert Pambak Pokr Masrik Shatjrek Shatvan Sotk Torfavan Tretuk Tsovak Vanevan Verin Shorzha Zariver

[Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
- [Geography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Geography)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sotk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sotk) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sotk?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.