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peculiarities of the period's house types. N.Dubrovin and V.Legkobitov held
observations at one time in Shirvan wrote about Shirvan houses: “Houses are
consisted of single rooms capable to hold numerous large families and property in
most cases”.
Basic handicraft shops established in cities included brazier, tinsmith, smith,
jeweller, painter, stonemason, engraver, potter, tailor preparing garment elements,
sheep-skincoat maker, hatter, shoe-maker, saddler preparing a set of saddle, saddle-
maker, tanner, dyer occupied with weaving, gruel-maker, braid-maker,
manufacture saler, joiner occupied with tree trimming, carpenter house-painter,
tar-maker weapon-maker and others. It was typical for large cities (due to sources
Agsu was one of the largest towns of the period for capacity and population
number) handicraft shops to be situated in populous caravansaries. M.Chulkov
wrote in his play published in 1785 that Shamakhi had more than 20 caravansaries.
Taking into consideration Agsu's being a central town of Shirvan khanate in this
period we can say that most part of fixed caravansaries situated there. This fact lets
having notion about handicraft shops located in caravansaries. Slags, tools and
ready production samples encountered during archaeological excavations are
precious material cultured monuments proving existence of handicraft shops. All
these substantiate saying that fervent handicraft life existed there.
Archaeological excavations implemented in IV site conclude that wood
material as widely used in dwelling houses. As we know, Shirvan's possessing
dense and wealthy forest cover created a ground for tree's usage as construction
material. For instance, some iron things were used to tie two wood pieces to each
other. Such things were made by smiths in hot-smithery way. After the wood
pieces put onto each other, the mentioned rasp are placed in one part of the tied
wood; its wrapped ends clinch woods from another side and provides their tight-
ness therewith.
Because archaeological excavations did not testify usage of wood floor in
XVIII century houses, we can say that big nails were used in preparation of gates.
The nails found from 2, 2b, 3c and 4a squares in IV excavation site have 7-12
centimeter length. Diameter of their tops is various and diameter of the biggest is 3
centimeter. Unconditionally logs of thick trees were nailed with them. Such logs
were broadly used in the roofs' back and hanging gates.
Clay ovens being one of well-known economy constructions in Azerbaijan
were almost encountered in most yards. According to Arif Mehdiyev, clay ovens
were widely used in heating of houses. With this purpose the clay oven was put in
the corridor into the house, bread and meal is prepared there and houses were
heated. Thus, clay oven was not only economic construction, but also heating
facility of houses. Large number of clay ovens amongst economy constructions in
III and IV sites can be example for that. It shows broad usage of clay ovens in
heating of houses in Agsu Town in XVIII century. As it is seen from
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archaeological materials, clay ovens aiming to heat houses were relatively in a
small scale.
While clay ovens were used as economy construction, an attic of four posts
was pitched over them. The remnants of tree humus near the displayed clay ovens
confirm presence of the latter in that area. Various kinds of clay ovens are fixed in
scientific literature: stone clay oven; smithery clay oven, windy clay oven
(underground and overhead) and brick clay oven. 3 types of clay ovens are
observed in Agsu Town: 1) smithery clay oven; 2) windy clay oven; 3) pottery clay
oven.
The first sample of clay ovens testifying long ages is smithery clay ovens
formed as still in Eneolith period. There is information about further usage of clay
ovens. Agsu findings show once more that smithery clay ovens were applied by the
people over the centuries. Ethnographic materials confirm that smithery clay ovens
are applied till nowadays in welfare of groups of cattle-breeders. According to
observations, a well is dug in a fit place to rear smithery clay oven. The well is
filled with water; the wall was forged with stone and fastened after water laid on.
In other method water of ash and salt mixture was splashed on the walls of the dug
well and it is fastened. So, forged ground is pressed, fastened and cooked by
stoking up the fire inside. Such clay ovens were without ashpit. One of clay ovens
in IV site belongs to such ovens. Diameter of the oven's pedestal is 70 centimeter,
thickness is 0, 6 centimeter. The oven has no ashpit.
Windy clay ovens, wide spread clay ovens in Azerbaijan are known since
the Bronze Age. The ovens were applied overall middle ages and kept importance
till nowadays. Apparently, these ovens' being cheap and easy as compared with
other bread ovens guaranteed their long-term existence.
Windy clay ovens are prepared from the sand called “tendir torpagi” (bread
oven sand) and “sari torpag” (yellow sand) amid the nation. The procedure of
preparation of clay oven passed from generation to generation, referred to
empirical knowledge system and having home vocation character was usually
executed by women. As a rule a grout, composed of soil, fell chaff, goat's wool, or
fluff of horse mane, sometimes baked brick crumb was made to prepare a clay
oven. The head of ready mud was covered with a carpet, felt and another thick
material for its being fermented. The process of mud ferment is continued within
several days. After nearly 3-4 days winds are made from grout fermented in a
smooth place. Winds are lined up along the circle appointed beforehand. Taking
into account heaviness and slippery of wet grout, next rows of winds are gradually
formed. Because winds gathered onto each other cause gravity and slippery. Winds
are forged by flat stone and fastened as being getting dry. So, next wind rows are
lined up. About a week was needed for coming out of windy clay ovens. Agsu set-
tlers used such clay oven samples, which protect and keep tradition of centuries.
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