Azernews.Az

The area has been inhabited for thousands of years and is renowned for its extensive collection of prehistoric rock art. More than 6,000 rock carvings, some dating back as far as 20,000 years, have been documented across the reserve. In 2007, Gobustan was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in recognition of its outstanding cultural value.

Among the remarkable petroglyphs found in Gobustan are Stone and Bronze Age depictions of hunting scenes, ceremonies, rituals, animals and everyday life. Most of the rock engravings portray prehistoric people, wildlife, hunting expeditions, battles and various cultural practices, offering a fascinating glimpse into the lives and beliefs of ancient communities.

The renowned Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl conducted research into the Gobustan petroglyphs and argued that some of the images depicted ancient boats resembling the traditional reed boats known as pirogues. He also put forward the controversial hypothesis that there could be a historical connection between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Scandinavia, suggesting that the ancestors of Scandinavians may have migrated from the region of Azerbaijan.

Beyond its rock art, Gobustan is also home to Gaval Dash, a remarkable musical stone that produces a distinctive, tambourine-like sound when struck at different points. Azerbaijani musicians have used the stone to produce musical rhythms, preserving a unique element of the country's ancient cultural heritage. Gaval Dash, together with the traditional Yallı chain dance, was also featured during the interval act of the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 semi-final in Baku.

Another notable attraction is a stone slab bearing a Latin inscription dating to the 1st century AD, which is believed to have been left by soldiers of the Roman Legio XII Fulminata, indicating the presence of Roman forces in the area during the reign of Emperor Domitian.

Gobustan was granted the status of a national historical-artistic reserve in 2006, with its primary mission being the preservation and study of its ancient rock carvings, archaeological remains and burial mounds.

Today, this remarkable open-air museum attracts thousands of visitors from around the world every year, offering a rare opportunity to step into the distant past and explore the cultural legacy of one of Azerbaijan's most extraordinary archaeological landscapes.