Digging in Armenia

Grape-pip rivalry – as in who has the oldest – is somehow reassuring in a region of the world where war, or the threat and fear of armed hostility and invasion, is never far away. The competitive spirit is alive and well in the neighbouring countries of Armenia and Georgia, focusing on matters cultural, scientific and historico-archaeological rather than bellicose. While both are ex Soviet states, Georgia feels under threat from Russia whereas Armenia still relies on Russia to defend them against any threat from Turkey – and yet needs Georgia for...