Gabala Archaeological Centre – Chukhur Gabala

About Scientific archeological excavations began in Gabala in 1959 and continued until 1990, although there had been earlier surveys in the area. A new round of excavations supported by SEBA Association conducted jointly by Azerbaijani and Korean archeologists began in […]

     

About

Scientific archeological excavations began in Gabala in 1959 and continued until 1990, although there had been earlier surveys in the area. A new round of excavations supported by SEBA Association conducted jointly by Azerbaijani and Korean archeologists began in 2009. The material on display in the exhibition halls comes from recent excavations and was restored on site in the laboratory.

Materials from excavations represent all periods of history, beginning with the Stone Age. Remains of the Chalcolithic period were discovered, along with many Bronze Age kurgan burials and Iron Age settlements. The most significant occupation began at the end of the 4^th century BC, with the growth of Caucasian Albania (the Antique period). The region also has rich medieval archeological remains.

The Gabala Archaeological Center, a part of the Gabala Artistic and Historical Preserve, was founded in November 2012 and was officially opened on the 22^nd of September 2014. It is financially supported by SEBA (Seoul-Baku) Azerbaijan-Korean Cultural Exchange Association.

The Archaeological Center contains a laboratory, a conference hall, a library, storage for archaeological artifacts, a studio for archaeological photography, accommodations for scholars ( 24 room), as well as two exhibition halls.

The exhibits in the halls change each year as new archaeological materials are uncovered through excavation. The halls contain approximately a860 objects as well as images and plans of the excavation process. The storage facilities contain more than 5000 additional objects.

Paleolithic (Stone Age)

The most ancient materials in exhibition halls come about 400,000 years ago, or the Paleolithic period. This material was discovered during a field survey in 2011 and 2012 in the villages of Boyuk Amili, Soltannukha, Hajialili and Garadeyin and consists of a range of stone tools made from flint and sandstone, including hand axes, blades and other chopping tools. This material shows that the natural environment of the region has long attracted human occupation.

Chalcolithic

Beginning from the 4th millennium BC in the territory of Mamayli, Charkhana and Kurd villages, traces of settlements were discovered. The artifacts come from both habitations and graves and were extremely rich. A small number of these artifacts are on display, including obsidian and flint blades, bone objects and ceramics. These are artifacts of Leyla-Tepe culture, which was comprised of early sedentary agricultural cattle-breeding tribes. Leyla-Tepe     culture was connected through migration routes to both Ubaid and early Uruk tribes from Anatolia and Mesopotamia , and later to the Maikop culture pf the North Caucasus. One characteristic of this cultural group was the funerary practice of burying the dead in jar burials, placed underneath the floors of houses. One of these burial jars is displayed in the museum, with a photograph showing the internment.

Antique Period (4th century BC-3rd century AD)

Antique Period remains are widespread around Gabala. This is no surprise since ancient Gabala was the capitol of Caucasian Albania, a state that rose to power in the late 4th century BC. Archaeological excavations have concentrated on the Antique town located in the Chaggalli-Gullutala area. This site was founded on an earlier Iron Age settlement, although there seems to have been a gap in occupation. In the Antique Period, remains from several structures at the site have been defined, but the most important artifacts are ceramics. Excavations of Antique burials from the region have uncovered ground, jar and catacomb burials. The inventories of these burials include glass, weapons, and armor, jewelry and ceramics.

The ceramics from both the settlement and the burials on display show an entirely new stage in cultural development. Some characteristics forms are oinochoe, vases and tripod vessels both in black and buff polished fabrics. Other materials from the settlement and associated graves also show new cultural influences that strongly entered the territory of Gabala in this period. These influences include traces from the Hellenistic world and northern tribes, and later from Parthia and Rome. For example, the glass vessels on display in the exhibit show connections to the Roman Near East, while the faience amulets (originally from Egypt), probably came to the region trough  Sarmatian trade. Coins discovered in this region both in hoards and as stray finds show economic ties to the Hellenistic kingdoms, the Roman world, and the Parthian empire. Locally minted coins, meanwhile, attest to a high level of economic power.

Medieval Period

The early Medieval period saw the rise first of the Sasanian Empire, and then of the Khazars and the Islamic world, which each left traces in the territory. In the 5th century AD, because of political upheaval, the capital of Albania moved south to Barda, but Gabala preserved its important role.

It was a period of population growth and expansion. New settlements arose and ancient sites were reoccupied and refortified. Urban infrastructure expanded, including water supply systems, bridges, irrigation systems, and road networks. Such settlements have been excavated recently at Selbit, Gala, and Dallekotu. Excavations uncovered many materials related to daily life and work of the residents of the medieval towns, including agricultural and domestic tools, food preparation equipment, and medicinal supplies.

Artistic production reached a high level of sophistication, with the development and expansion of craft traditions. Metalsmithing, jewelry production, glass blowing, and ceramics were noteworthy industries.

Glazed ceramics of a number of different types were produced locally and imported beginning in the 8th century and continuing throughout the Medieval period. The vessels are richly decorated with geometric, astral, vegetal and epigraphic forms, as well as scenes of animals and hunting. It is possible to follow the development of these artistic styles.

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