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
18
Destroyed
17
Damaged
40
Threatened
Last Update: October 2026
Caucasus Heritage Watch has monitored over 500 cultural heritage sites across 7,200 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.
Latest News
- NEW RELEASE: CHW Monitoring Report #9
CHW released its ninth report on the current state of 500+ cultural heritage sites in the former Nagorno-Karabakh. The report details the findings from satellite monitoring missions conducted in fall… Read more: NEW RELEASE: CHW Monitoring Report #9 - DESTRUCTION ALERT: The Old Armenian-Russian Cemetery of Shusha
CHW has documented the destruction of Shusha’s Old Armenian-Russian Cemetery from May 9-14, 2026. Our full investigation is available as a CHW StoryMap “A Cemetery Lost in the Rebuilding of… Read more: DESTRUCTION ALERT: The Old Armenian-Russian Cemetery of Shusha - THREAT ALERT: Ghazanchetsots Cathedral
Satellite imagery shows a new threat to the integrity of the 19th century Ghazanchetsots Armenian Cathedral in Shusha. Between April 25 and July 23, 2026, buildings arose on the grounds… Read more: THREAT ALERT: Ghazanchetsots Cathedral