Ancient 'catacomb' discovered in Azerbaijan’s Gabala

As part of their continuing exploration of monuments from the Neolithic and the Bronze Age in the territory of Gabala district, Azerbaijan, the ANAS expedition “Ancient Gabala” is working at the site of an ancient settlement called Galayeri (Leylatepe archaeological culture) in the territory of the Gabala International Airport, the ANAS Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography told APA.

To date, thousands of artefacts made of clay, stone, metal, and bones have been unearthed at the site, which has a history dating back to the first half of the 4th millennium BC.

Archaeologists say a variety of pottery found at the site were made on a potter’s wheel, as in other contemporary Middle Eastern cultures.

ANAS deputy director Najaf Museyibli, who is leading the expedition, says another fascinating fact is the discovery of an ancient catacomb at the site.

According to Museyibli, the catacomb dates back to the same period when the site was first settled some 6,000 years ago.

The expedition also found in Gabal’s Dizakhli village a human skeleton buried with more than a hundred items of jewellery and 30 ceramic vases.

Museyibli said a comparison of these artefacts with others has allowed them to specify the distinct features of Eastern Caucasus culture which covered the areas of Shirvan, Guba-Khachmaz, Southern Dagestan, especially the areas surrounding Derbent.

Source: APA [August 19, 2016]