Research leads to important historical finds in Azerbaijan
By Nazrin Gadimova
Archaeological research is underway in Galatepe, which is located near the Salmanbeyli village of Azerbaijan's Agdjabedi region.
According to the head of the Mil-Karabakh archaeological expedition of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) Tavakkul Aliyev, the research in Galapete, which is located at the strategically important intersection of Gargarchay River and the ancient Gavur irrigation canal, began in 2008.
During the archaeological research at the site of the ancient Albanian city, which was cited as Enian in ancient sources and Yunan in Medieval sources, and in the nearby necropolis, different historical materials were identified.
As a result of research on the site of the city a 9 meter deep cultural layer, including a wall made of bricks dating back to II century BCE to II century AD, a public building occupying space of 56 square meters, a hall and a street were discovered.
The wall found there is 1.5 meters thick. The length of the bricks used in construction is 58 centimeters, the width is 47 centimeters and the thickness is 18-20 centimeters.
This shows the high development of brick architecture in Azerbaijan in the ancient period. The base of the 9 meter deep column made of limestone, hearths, a layer of ash, remains of burnt wood, red ceramics with rich patterns, flooring plastered with clay, and 40 centimeters wide reinforced soil were found.
During excavations carried out at the necropolis in recent years, 12 pitcher burials were found and there were jewelry, weapons, a sword, an arrow and spear tips in them, most of which are associated with the Hellenistic culture. These findings allow a more detailed research of the cultural and spiritual life of the ancient Albanian cities.
In the course of this year's research excavations reached a depth of 10 meters, and as a result, a layer of a structure dating back to the Hellenistic period was discovered. It demonstrates that Galatepe consists of two layers - the upper one, which refers to the Middle Ages and the bottom one, which dates back to the ancient times. During the research the remains of the city walls and ceramic products of the Middle Ages were also found.
Research in the second section of Galatepe began on August 16. The archaeological research will be conducted until the end of September.