Karmrashen (former village)

Karmrashen was a former village located in the Vayots Dzor Province of Armenia. Its precise location is commonly documented as being near the present-day village of Areni. Karmrashen's historical significance stems from its connection to the Areni-1 cave complex, an important archaeological site.

The village was known for its winemaking traditions and the cultivation of grapes. Evidence found in the Areni-1 cave, including a 6,100-year-old winery, suggests that the area around Karmrashen has a long and rich history of viticulture, predating many other known winemaking regions.

Karmrashen ceased to exist as a populated village sometime in the 20th century. The reasons for its abandonment are not extensively documented in readily available historical records but likely involved factors such as economic hardship, migration to larger settlements, or changes in agricultural practices.

The name "Karmrashen" may derive from the Armenian words "karmir" (կարմիր), meaning "red," and "shen" (շեն), meaning "village" or "settlement," potentially referencing the color of the soil or the local flora.