In 1985, the "Archaeological Research of South-East Azerbaijan Monuments" expedition was
established for research in the Caspian basin, Astara, Lankaran, Masalli, Lerik, Yardimli and
Jalilabad. Heretofore, I.Narimanov, F.Mahmudov (Alikomek-tepe) and H.Kasamanli conducted
archaeological works there. Archaeological maps of the regions were prepared during this
period. In 2011, the Azerbaijan-France international archaeological expedition was established
to study the heritage of Jacques de Morgan. A.Alekberov from Azerbaijan and Michel Kazanova
from France led this expedition. As a result of joint activities Kravaladi, Juji Tuk, Mundigah,
Amarat and other archaeological monuments were explored in Lankaran and Lerik [Alekberov,
Cazanova, 2015, pp.370-378].
The Bronze Age monuments of North-East Azerbaijan were scientifically analyzed in the
candidate's thesis of D.L.Musaev in 1991. A classification of the archaeological
material
(pottery, stone, bone, metal wares) collected from the settlements of Akhty-tepe and
Hasangala (Khachmaz
district, to the North of Serker-tepe and Akhtigazmalar villages),
Mollaburkhan-tepe (on the left bank of Gudyalchay river), Filter I (within the Shollar water
reservoir), Tepeyataghy (to the North-East from Khudat), Chaqqally-tepe I and Chaqqally-tepe
II (near Aygunlu village of Shabran district), Gefle-tepe I, Govdeshan-tepe II (Gusar district),
Boeyuk-tepe I and Boeyuk-tepe II (near Kijan village), Kuchumkhan-tepe (near Gueller village),
Dashly-tepe (near Nughadi II village of Guba district) is given in the thesis [Musayev, 1991].
In the 2000s, archaeologist A.M.Mammadov studied the ancient and medieval monuments of
Salyan region.
As of 2004, the "Mugan Neolith-Eneolithic Expedition" in Jalilabad district investigates the
ancient settlements and graves of the 5
th
-4
th
millennia BC, like Polu-tepe and Alkhan-tepe.
As of 2009, I.N.Aliyev accomplishes archaeological excavations and research in Dubendi cave,
Damba
cemetery, Kelazagh, Gurgan-Damba in Absheron peninsula, vast archaeological
materials obtained [Əliyev I, Əliyev C, 2015, pp.189-193].
Prosperous material and cultural remains are found as the result of D.L.Musaev’s
investigations in Sarkar-tepe monument (Khachmaz region) in 2011, and in Mollaburkhan-tepe
in 2012-2014. Part of the archaeological material of the 4
th
-3
rd
millennia BC proves the
economic and cultural relations of the local population with the Mesopotamian tribes.
In 2013, the Guba-Khachmaz archaeological expedition extensively studied the complex of
Sandiq-tepe monuments in Guba district, and in the Gara Dundur fortress in Siyazan district
[Xəlilov, 2015, pp.261-267].
Archaeological excavations and research in Shabran district were endured by Q.O.Goshgarly in
2013-2014, and by S.H.Ashurov in 2015-2016.
In 2015-2017, archaeological excavations were continued in Polu-tepe settlement of Jalilabad
district, Mollaburkhan-tepe settlement between Gimil Gyshlaq and Mollaburkhan villages of
Khachmaz district, Chaggaly-tepe monument in Aygunlu village of Shabran district. Meanwhile,
in Guerdeser village of Lerik district, 24 soil tombs were revealed in Piboz-tepe necropolis of
5
th
-2
nd
centuries BC.
The Late Middle Ages Christian temples in Kilvar village of Shabran district and Kohne
Khachmaz village of Khachmaz district are investigated and measured.
267
Results
Studies reveal that the Caspian region was initially settled 100-120 thousand years ago. Nearly
5-6 thousand years ago, the Caspian basin became an abode of tribal culture and ideology.
Today, the archaeological excavations and explorations of the Caspian littoral regions are
successfully continued. Undoubtedly, the history of the region
will gain updates with the
further studies.
References
Azərbaycan Maddi Mədəniyyəti., I Cild, s.3-103, Bakı, 1949; II Cild, s.3-139, Bakı, 1951; III Cild,
s.3-80, Bakı, 1953.
Alekberov A.İ., Cazanova M. Preliminary Results of The Frensh-Azerbaijan Arxeological
Expedition. “Archaeological Researches in Azerbaijan 2013-2014”, Baku, 2015.
Bünyatov T.Ə. Azərbaycan arxeologiyası oçerkləri., Bakı, “Azərnəşr”, 1960, 238 s.
Əliyev İ.N., Əliyev C.İ. Abşeronda 2013 -2014-cü illərdə arxeoloji işlər. “Azərbaycanda arxeoloji
tədqiqatlar 2013-2014” jurnalı, “Xəzər Universiteti” nəşriyyatı, Bakı, 2015.
Göyüşov R.B. Azərbaycan arxeologiyası., Bakı, “İşıq”, 1986, 186 s.
Xəlilov M.C. Sandıqtəpə abidələr kompleksində tədqiqatlar 2013-2014. “Azərbaycanda
arxeoloji tədqiqatlar 2013-2014” jurnalı, “Xəzər Universiteti” nəşriyyatı, Bakı, 2015.
Квачидзе В.А. Подводно-археологические работы в акватории Абшеронского архипелага
и у мыса Гюргян., “Azərbaycan arxeologiyası və etnoqrafiyası 2002” jurnalı, “Xəzər
Universiteti” nəşriyyatı, II, Bakı, 2003.
Kəsəmənli H.R. Mil-Muğan arxeoloji ekspedisiyasının 1970-ci ildə gördüyü işlərin Hesabatı.
AEA. AF, 1971, d-7493.
Mahmudov F.R. Talış və Muğan mədəniyyətinə aid yeni arxeoloji dəlillər., AEA, AF, 1967, d-
6345.
Musayev D.L. Şimal-Şərqi Azərbaycanın ilk tunc dövrü abidələri. Namizədlik dissertasiyasının
avtoreferatı, Bakı, 1991, 24 s.
Rüstəmov C.N., Muradova F.M., Qobustan petroqlifləri., I Cild, 2-ci Kitab, Bakı, “Kooperasiya”,
2003, 120 s.
268
The problems of the historiography of the Khojaly-Gedebey culture
NOURIDA GADIROVA-ATESHI
Department of History and Archaeology, Khazar University, Baku
Institute for Caucasus Research, Berlin, Email:
ateshi@nourida.com
Keywords: Problems of historiography of Caucasian
Archaeology; European research on Caucasian
archaeology;
Khojaly-Gedebey-culture; Caucasus Collections
Introduction
This paper points out the research problems concerning the Khojaly-Gedebey culture which was prevalent
in the South Caucasus during the Late Bronze and Early Iron ages. The author has been studying this culture
for more
than ten years ; she has been carrying out research in museums, archives and stack-rooms in
Azerbaijan, Russia, Germany, and Austria. In this paper she presents the problems she has found, and she
brings them up to international discussion.
The first problem: the name of the culture.
In prior archaeological research, the cultural sites from the Late Bronze
and Early Iron Ages in the
central and southern Caucasus are known under the following names: “Central South Caucasian
culture,” “Ganja-Karabagh culture” and “Khojaly-Gedebey culture.”
1
European scientists did not yet
dedicate comprehensive studies to that culture - with the exception of Hanchar who subsumed all
finds known at that time belonging to that culture,
2
and Schachner who, at least, compiled the
available information,
3
and also G. Kossack who pioneered contributions to the chronology in the
Caucasus. They only occasionally mentioned it under all of the three names “Khojaly-Gedebey,”
“Ganja-Karabakh” and “Central South Caucasian culture.”
4
Based on the geographic range and the peculiarities of this culture with its distinct original
characteristics, “Khojaly-Gedebey culture” is the most accurate designation for this culture.
The second problem: its geographic range should be redefined.
The Khojaly-Gedebey culture was widespread over the western regions of today’s Azerbaijan,
southern Georgia, the northern regions of today’s Armenia and the north-west of Iran. Research
carried out in recent years, especially by V. B. Bakhshaliyev, confirms that the Khojaly-Gedebey
culture was also spread across southern regions of Azerbaijan. Research led by the Iranian
archaeologist R. Hejberi shows that this culture was also spread to regions south of the Araz River.
Therefore, further research in the South Caucasus and southern regions of Azerbaijan as well as in
north western Iran is urgently needed to determine the role
of this culture in history, which needs to
be verified by recent analyses.
N. V. Minkevich-Mustafayeva classifies monuments of the Khojaly-Gedebey culture in the
territory of Azerbaijan in the following three categories: Karabakh Mountain Group
, Ganja-Goygol
Group and Gedebey Group
5
.
1
Goeyüshov and Martinov 1990, p.114
2
Hanchar 1934; 1937.
3
Schachner 2002.
4
Kohlmeyer and Saherwala,1983, p.53.
5
Minkevich- Mustafayeva 1956, p. 5.
269