While today Armenia is the size of Maryland, it once stretched from the Caspian to the Mediterranean Sea and from Persia to the Caucasus. Armenia is older than Christianity and within its ancient borders lies Mt. Ararat, the final resting place of Noah's ark, and although now lost to Turkey, the 16,000-foot mountain still stands as a symbol of Armenian persistence. The Armenian survival has been forged in the furnaces of war and genocide and their centuries of struggle is an integral part of their national identity, as is their language, religion and cultural heritage. In Part 1, Joseph crisscrosses Armenia to ancient sites where some of the world's oldest artifacts have been discovered. From roadside fruit stands to riverside wine stalls and bustling markets, Joseph is welcomed into local homes to witness traditional artisans at work and join in religious and communal celebrations that inspire, enlighten and reveal the Armenian heart and soul.