Among columns of exhausted ethnic Armenians fleeing the mass killings carried out by Ottoman Turks beginning in 1915, some hid books or ancient documents inside their clothing. For many survivors, the easily hidden manuscripts were the only remnant of their nation that they were able to smuggle to safety.

Thousands of those books and documents eventually arrived in modern Armenia where today they are held in the purpose-builtMatenadaran, a storehouse for the countrys historic manuscripts. Many, however, remain in museums and private collections scattered throughout the world.

Armenian refugees in Jerusalem in 1919.

Now experts at the Matenadaran are involved in a groundbreaking project to place all accessible Armenian manuscripts - from ancient bibles tomedieval cake recipes- onto a searchable database.

Emma Horopian, the head of public relations for the Matenadaran, told RFE/RL that the project -- formally named the Armenian Manuscript Catalogue Access Platform -- will store and present manuscript descriptions in a structured and searchable format.

The Matenadaran, a purpose-built structure, opened in Yerevan in 1959 to store Armenian manuscripts.

Convincing all holders of Armenian manuscripts throughout the world to physically relinquish them to Armenia would be virtually impossible, so compiling a searchable database of the manuscripts in one place online is seen as the next best thing.

Gurgen Gasparian, a staff member of the Matenadaran, told local media that the platform will allow any Armenologist, researcher, or scientist to find the information they are looking for within seconds, once the database goes online.

An opening page of an Armenian-language bible made in Persia in the 1630s that is currently held by the Getty Museum in the United States.

Thousands of manuscripts will become findable on the online platform with keywords that include physical descriptions and will be downloadable free of charge. The first stage of the project is planned to go live in early 2026.

The online platform is being funded by a charitable institution set up by the late British-Armenian oil magnate Calouste Gulbenkian.

Visitors view ancient manuscripts inside the Matenadaran.

As the first nation to officiallyadopt Christianity, Horopian says, Armenias manuscripts provide unique sources for the study of Christianity, as well as medieval art, linguistics, and intercultural exchange in the Middle East and Caucasus regions.