Archeologists Discover Medieval Monastery In Kyrgyzstan

8 August 2005 -- Archaeologists in Kyrgyzstan say they have discovered the remains of a medieval Christian monastery on the northern bank of Lake Issyk-Kul.

Aleksandr Kamyshev, who is heading the team from the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University, told ITAR-TASS that archeologists have long suspected the existence of a monastery built by Armenian Christians on the shore of Issyk-Kul.

Maps from the time charting the Silk Road suggest the remains of the Apostle Matthew are buried near the monastery walls.

Kamyshev said the monastery was built around the 14th century and is designed in a style similar to medieval Armenian Christian monasteries.

(ITAR-TASS)