Satellite Monitoring · Cultural Heritage
Heritage Monitoring and Forensic Research
CHW is a research program in heritage forensics led by archaeologists at Cornell and Purdue Universities. We use satellite imagery and open source media to monitor and document endangered and damaged cultural heritage in the South Caucasus.
Monitoring Impacts by the Numbers
500+
Sites Monitored
17
Destroyed
16
Damaged
42
Threatened
Last Update: May 2026
Caucasus Heritage Watch has monitored over 500 cultural heritage sites across 12,100 km² of territory since 2020, documenting the impact of post-war development, military activity, and deliberate demolition on Armenian archaeological and architectural heritage.
Impacted Sites
A site-by-site catalog of Armenian cultural heritage impacted since 2020, documented through satellite monitoring. Searchable by status, site type, district, and monitoring mission.
Site catalog launching soon
Latest News
- Cultural Destruction in Khankendi/Stepanakert
Amidst reports of the destruction of Armenian religious sites in the city of Stepanakert/Khankendi, CHW today reported that the Armenian Genocide memorial in Stepanakert/Khankendi has been destroyed (see featured image… Read more: Cultural Destruction in Khankendi/Stepanakert - CHW Confirms Destruction of Church in Khankendi/Stepanakert
Using Sentinel 2 satellite imagery, CHW can confirm reports of the destruction of the Holy Mother of God Church (Surb Astvatsatsin), consecrated by the Armenian Apostolic Church in 2019 in… Read more: CHW Confirms Destruction of Church in Khankendi/Stepanakert - Advances in Heritage Forensics: Revisiting the Destruction of St. John the Baptist Church in Shusha
In April 2024, CHW reported the destruction of St. John the Baptist Church, a 19th century Armenian religious center and cultural landmark that had stood in the historic city of… Read more: Advances in Heritage Forensics: Revisiting the Destruction of St. John the Baptist Church in Shusha