The oldest khatchkars that we are aware of date from 9-10th centuries; an obelisk, situated near Nerkin Talin. Queen Katranide (Ashot Bagratooni's wife) erected a khatchkar in 879 at Garni, which is the earliest dated khatchkar we know. We come across a similar khatchkar dated 964, at Tekor. These khatchkars are quaddrilateral columns implanted firmly in the ground without having the typical appearance of khatchkars.
The earliest khatchkars, with their characteristics as yet incompletely formed, bear witness to the creative search of form. For example The khatchkar erected in 881 in memory of Grigor Amirnerseh, prince of the Sunik and Aghvan, and those inside the St. Hripsime and St. Gayane memorial chapels are amongst this group. Their generalised forms, the linkings of the new vignettes having simplicity of form on smooth stone surfaces and being carved with delicate sensitivity for harmonic symmetry, establish a new aspect to an imposing monument.
If the purpose of the engraving on the facades of the 4-7th centuries obelisks and temples was to propagate and confirm the Christian religion, then the main purpose of the late 9th century monuments was to secure the salvation of the soul. Donations were given to monasteries and khatchkars were erected for the salvation of the soul. Khatchkars represented the symbolic image of the Crucifixion and the Redemption.