Caucasus Heritage Watch
@caucasushw.bsky.social
CHW monitors and documents endangered and damaged cultural heritage using high-resolution satellite imagery. Led by archaeologists @cornelluniversity.bsky.social and Purdue University.
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At CHW, we don’t speak often—but when we do, it’s because we have verified findings to share. Even in silence, we’re working behind the scenes. Help us reach 50% of our goal by Monday—give today: crowdfunding.cornell.edu/project/48028
Caucasus Heritage Watch
Help Cornell University raise $10,000 for the project: Caucasus Heritage Watch. Your gift will make a difference!
crowdfunding.cornell.edu
November 12, 2025 at 7:21 PM
At CHW, we don’t speak often—but when we do, it’s because we have verified findings to share. Even in silence, we’re working behind the scenes. Help us reach 50% of our goal by Monday—give today: crowdfunding.cornell.edu/project/48028
A $5 TRUE STORY
Each month for 2+ years, a $5 bill arrives in CHW's mail—folded neatly in an envelope from one mysterious donor. It’s a small, steady reminder that every gift matters.
Will you give $5 today so we can continue reporting on heritage at risk?
crowdfunding.cornell.edu/project/48028
Each month for 2+ years, a $5 bill arrives in CHW's mail—folded neatly in an envelope from one mysterious donor. It’s a small, steady reminder that every gift matters.
Will you give $5 today so we can continue reporting on heritage at risk?
crowdfunding.cornell.edu/project/48028
November 7, 2025 at 4:26 PM
A $5 TRUE STORY
Each month for 2+ years, a $5 bill arrives in CHW's mail—folded neatly in an envelope from one mysterious donor. It’s a small, steady reminder that every gift matters.
Will you give $5 today so we can continue reporting on heritage at risk?
crowdfunding.cornell.edu/project/48028
Each month for 2+ years, a $5 bill arrives in CHW's mail—folded neatly in an envelope from one mysterious donor. It’s a small, steady reminder that every gift matters.
Will you give $5 today so we can continue reporting on heritage at risk?
crowdfunding.cornell.edu/project/48028
Meet the CHW leads: archaeologists Smith, Lindsay, & Khatchadourian and political geographer Ghulyan. Since 2020 we've drawn on decades of regional expertise to respond to war’s impact on cultural heritage.
Help us reach 25% of our crowdfunding goal today!
crowdfunding.cornell.edu/project/48028
Help us reach 25% of our crowdfunding goal today!
crowdfunding.cornell.edu/project/48028
November 5, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Meet the CHW leads: archaeologists Smith, Lindsay, & Khatchadourian and political geographer Ghulyan. Since 2020 we've drawn on decades of regional expertise to respond to war’s impact on cultural heritage.
Help us reach 25% of our crowdfunding goal today!
crowdfunding.cornell.edu/project/48028
Help us reach 25% of our crowdfunding goal today!
crowdfunding.cornell.edu/project/48028
Our crowdfunding campaign is live! Since 2021, CHW has provided independent satellite-based evidence on cultural heritage affected by the Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict. Please contribute today to sustain this vital work.
➡️ crowdfunding.cornell.edu/project/48028
➡️ crowdfunding.cornell.edu/project/48028
Caucasus Heritage Watch
Help Cornell University raise $10,000 for the project: Caucasus Heritage Watch. Your gift will make a difference!
crowdfunding.cornell.edu
November 3, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Our crowdfunding campaign is live! Since 2021, CHW has provided independent satellite-based evidence on cultural heritage affected by the Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict. Please contribute today to sustain this vital work.
➡️ crowdfunding.cornell.edu/project/48028
➡️ crowdfunding.cornell.edu/project/48028
Monitoring Report #8 on 500+ cultural heritage sites in former Nagorno-Karabakh out today. See findings from satellite monitoring missions in fall 2024 and spring 2025. Key takeaways: no new destruction; damage to 2 cemeteries and 1 church; spike in # of threatened sites. 1/4 tinyurl.com/hm6daw9x
July 21, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Monitoring Report #8 on 500+ cultural heritage sites in former Nagorno-Karabakh out today. See findings from satellite monitoring missions in fall 2024 and spring 2025. Key takeaways: no new destruction; damage to 2 cemeteries and 1 church; spike in # of threatened sites. 1/4 tinyurl.com/hm6daw9x
We're looking forward to joining @bellingcat.com for this conversation on Thursday at 10am EST.
Join us Thursday at 10am EST/4pm CET as we speak to the @cornelluniversity.bsky.social team behind @caucasushw.bsky.social . With @godin.bsky.social we'll be unpacking how you might use open source tools to monitor and assess damage to cultural heritage during conflict.
discord.gg/nCrVdaUA?eve...
discord.gg/nCrVdaUA?eve...
December 3, 2024 at 12:07 PM
We're looking forward to joining @bellingcat.com for this conversation on Thursday at 10am EST.
Satellite imagery shows that between Oct. 5, 2023, and April 30, 2024, the 19th century Tandzatap church in Garababa, Zangilan sustained major damage. Most of the roof has collapsed, as has the southern wall which featured an embedded stone engraved with a cross. 1/6
November 18, 2024 at 4:24 PM
Satellite imagery shows that between Oct. 5, 2023, and April 30, 2024, the 19th century Tandzatap church in Garababa, Zangilan sustained major damage. Most of the roof has collapsed, as has the southern wall which featured an embedded stone engraved with a cross. 1/6
Monitoring Report #7 on cultural heritage in former Nagorno-Karabakh out today. Our latest monitoring cycle has revealed the greatest number of impacted Armenian cultural sites since we began monitoring in 2021. Newly destroyed=6, newly threatened=7.1/4
tinyurl.com/4bbywb9j
tinyurl.com/4bbywb9j
February 13, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Monitoring Report #7 on cultural heritage in former Nagorno-Karabakh out today. Our latest monitoring cycle has revealed the greatest number of impacted Armenian cultural sites since we began monitoring in 2021. Newly destroyed=6, newly threatened=7.1/4
tinyurl.com/4bbywb9j
tinyurl.com/4bbywb9j
Azerbaijan has destroyed the remains of two schools and with them traces of a medieval Armenian past. Their ruination encapsulates the cycles of erasure that have wrecked cultural landscapes in the NK conflict. Our latest StoryMap 'Wreckage upon Wreckage'.
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/2e1ec3…
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/2e1ec3…
February 13, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Azerbaijan has destroyed the remains of two schools and with them traces of a medieval Armenian past. Their ruination encapsulates the cycles of erasure that have wrecked cultural landscapes in the NK conflict. Our latest StoryMap 'Wreckage upon Wreckage'.
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/2e1ec3…
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/2e1ec3…
DESTRUCTION ALERT: Satellite imagery dated April 4 shows that the destruction of the Ghazanchetsots cemetery in Shusha is complete. This marks the first destruction of a cemetery since the @CIJ_ICJ ordered Azerbaijan to prevent and punish attacks on Armenian cultural heritage.1/3
February 13, 2025 at 3:57 PM
DESTRUCTION ALERT: Satellite imagery dated April 4 shows that the destruction of the Ghazanchetsots cemetery in Shusha is complete. This marks the first destruction of a cemetery since the @CIJ_ICJ ordered Azerbaijan to prevent and punish attacks on Armenian cultural heritage.1/3
DESTRUCTION ALERT: Between December 28, 2023 and April 4, 2024, St. John the Baptist church (S. Hovhannes Mkrtich), a 177 year old landmark in Shusha was destroyed, Azerbaijan’s most egregious violation yet of a December 2021 @ICJ order . 1/3
tinyurl.com/yr7jvd3r
tinyurl.com/yr7jvd3r
February 13, 2025 at 3:57 PM
DESTRUCTION ALERT: Between December 28, 2023 and April 4, 2024, St. John the Baptist church (S. Hovhannes Mkrtich), a 177 year old landmark in Shusha was destroyed, Azerbaijan’s most egregious violation yet of a December 2021 @ICJ order . 1/3
tinyurl.com/yr7jvd3r
tinyurl.com/yr7jvd3r
We break the stories on violence against heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh. Our satellite investigations counter post-truths and support informed debate. To continue speaking truth to power, we need your help. 18 days left, $12000 raised, $3000 to go. Plz give
tinyurl.com/3rwwmpdd
tinyurl.com/3rwwmpdd
New Technologies Can Help Prevent Cultural Erasure
Help Cornell University raise $25,000 for the project: New Technologies Can Help Prevent Cultural Erasure. Your gift will make a difference!
tinyurl.com
February 13, 2025 at 3:57 PM
We break the stories on violence against heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh. Our satellite investigations counter post-truths and support informed debate. To continue speaking truth to power, we need your help. 18 days left, $12000 raised, $3000 to go. Plz give
tinyurl.com/3rwwmpdd
tinyurl.com/3rwwmpdd
Giving day is here. Please consider supporting CHW’s efforts to monitor cultural heritage at risk.
youtube.com/watch?v=FrOY5b…
youtube.com/watch?v=FrOY5b…
Caucasus Heritage Watch: New Technologies Can Help Prevent Cultural Erasure
www.youtube.com
February 13, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Giving day is here. Please consider supporting CHW’s efforts to monitor cultural heritage at risk.
youtube.com/watch?v=FrOY5b…
youtube.com/watch?v=FrOY5b…
DAMAGE ALERT: Between Oct. 5 and Nov. 3, another Armenian cemetery in Shusha/i was damaged. It appears that bulldozers dumped heaps of debris atop the old Ghazanchetsots cemetery (southeast of the cathedral), endangering the already fragmented tombstones. 1/7
February 13, 2025 at 3:56 PM
DAMAGE ALERT: Between Oct. 5 and Nov. 3, another Armenian cemetery in Shusha/i was damaged. It appears that bulldozers dumped heaps of debris atop the old Ghazanchetsots cemetery (southeast of the cathedral), endangering the already fragmented tombstones. 1/7
DAMAGE ALERT: Between Oct. 5 and Nov. 3 bulldozers carved a road through an historic burial ground in Shusha/i known as the Yerevan Gate cemetery. Nestled amidst the trees are at least 78 Armenian-inscribed tombstones dating between 1802 and 1913. 1/5
February 13, 2025 at 3:56 PM
DAMAGE ALERT: Between Oct. 5 and Nov. 3 bulldozers carved a road through an historic burial ground in Shusha/i known as the Yerevan Gate cemetery. Nestled amidst the trees are at least 78 Armenian-inscribed tombstones dating between 1802 and 1913. 1/5
DAMAGE ALERT: Construction in Shusha/i has damaged the archaeological remains of the 1838 Meghretsots Holy Mother of God church. A Nov. 3 satellite image shows that demolition debris (A) was recently dumped on the foundations of the old church, likely using heavy machinery. 1/5
February 13, 2025 at 3:55 PM
DAMAGE ALERT: Construction in Shusha/i has damaged the archaeological remains of the 1838 Meghretsots Holy Mother of God church. A Nov. 3 satellite image shows that demolition debris (A) was recently dumped on the foundations of the old church, likely using heavy machinery. 1/5
Satellite monitoring is costly. Since 2021 CHW has kept watch over 270+ sites. With the ethnic cleansing of Karabakh this will ↑ to ≈500. If you rely on CHW for reliable info re: the status of Armenian cultural heritage pls. give to Cornell crowdfunding.
tinyurl.com/mwkk954a
tinyurl.com/mwkk954a
New Technologies Can Help Prevent Cultural Erasure
Help Cornell University raise $25,000 for the project: New Technologies Can Help Prevent Cultural Erasure. Your gift will make a difference!
tinyurl.com
February 13, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Satellite monitoring is costly. Since 2021 CHW has kept watch over 270+ sites. With the ethnic cleansing of Karabakh this will ↑ to ≈500. If you rely on CHW for reliable info re: the status of Armenian cultural heritage pls. give to Cornell crowdfunding.
tinyurl.com/mwkk954a
tinyurl.com/mwkk954a
An Armenian church in Azerbaijan was destroyed in 2022, violating an ICJ ruling. New activity raises questions about how the state is responding. CHW sets out the visual evidence of what happened in a new StoryMap.
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6e1857…
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6e1857…
St. Sargis of Mokhrenes/Susanlyg
An Armenian church in Azerbaijan was destroyed, violating an ICJ ruling. New activity raises questions about how the state is responding.
storymaps.arcgis.com
February 13, 2025 at 3:55 PM
An Armenian church in Azerbaijan was destroyed in 2022, violating an ICJ ruling. New activity raises questions about how the state is responding. CHW sets out the visual evidence of what happened in a new StoryMap.
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6e1857…
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6e1857…
The video below shows two Azerbaijani soldiers firing on the 13th century Charektar Monastery, one from an armored vehicle. Such attacks are in direct violation of the ICJ’s provisional measure concerning Armenian cultural heritage and must be investigated and prosecuted.
x.com/AWorldUnited2/…
x.com/AWorldUnited2/…
February 13, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The video below shows two Azerbaijani soldiers firing on the 13th century Charektar Monastery, one from an armored vehicle. Such attacks are in direct violation of the ICJ’s provisional measure concerning Armenian cultural heritage and must be investigated and prosecuted.
x.com/AWorldUnited2/…
x.com/AWorldUnited2/…
NEW REPORT: CHW’s Monitoring Report #5 on the status of cultural heritage in and around Nagorno-Karabakh documents 1 destroyed bridge, 2 damaged cemeteries, & 5 newly threatened sites. In this cycle, we identified two new developments. 1/4
tinyurl.com/4ftm2fbn
tinyurl.com/4ftm2fbn
February 13, 2025 at 3:55 PM
NEW REPORT: CHW’s Monitoring Report #5 on the status of cultural heritage in and around Nagorno-Karabakh documents 1 destroyed bridge, 2 damaged cemeteries, & 5 newly threatened sites. In this cycle, we identified two new developments. 1/4
tinyurl.com/4ftm2fbn
tinyurl.com/4ftm2fbn
CHW has documented the destruction of the 1835 Halevor Bridge, which spanned the Ishkhanaget/Quruçay River, 2km southwest of Böyük Tağlar/Mets Tagher. We have been concerned about this bridge since last summer. It was clearly visible in an Oct. 2021 satellite image. 1/2
February 13, 2025 at 3:55 PM
CHW has documented the destruction of the 1835 Halevor Bridge, which spanned the Ishkhanaget/Quruçay River, 2km southwest of Böyük Tağlar/Mets Tagher. We have been concerned about this bridge since last summer. It was clearly visible in an Oct. 2021 satellite image. 1/2
CHW is concerned about new military installations near historic sites in Aghdam&Martakert. Between April & July 2021, bunkers were dug into a historic Azerbaijani cemetery, near a mausoleum. They were recently expanded as indicated in an April 2023 image. 1/6
February 13, 2025 at 3:54 PM
CHW is concerned about new military installations near historic sites in Aghdam&Martakert. Between April & July 2021, bunkers were dug into a historic Azerbaijani cemetery, near a mausoleum. They were recently expanded as indicated in an April 2023 image. 1/6
CHW has made a high-confidence assessment that a centuries-old cemetery in Lachin has been damaged due to construction. Road work encroached into the northeastern and southern areas of the cemetery between October 15, 2022 and April 29, 2023. 1/4
February 13, 2025 at 3:54 PM
CHW has made a high-confidence assessment that a centuries-old cemetery in Lachin has been damaged due to construction. Road work encroached into the northeastern and southern areas of the cemetery between October 15, 2022 and April 29, 2023. 1/4
6 months ago this week, we released the results of our satellite investigation into the destruction of Armenian cultural heritage in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Azerbaijan. To mark the occasion, today we share one of our most surprising findings. 1/8
February 13, 2025 at 3:53 PM
6 months ago this week, we released the results of our satellite investigation into the destruction of Armenian cultural heritage in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Azerbaijan. To mark the occasion, today we share one of our most surprising findings. 1/8
Pleased that our OpEd in Sapiens is one the editors' picks for the year's best.
x.com/SAPIENS_org/st…
x.com/SAPIENS_org/st…
February 13, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Pleased that our OpEd in Sapiens is one the editors' picks for the year's best.
x.com/SAPIENS_org/st…
x.com/SAPIENS_org/st…