THE HISTORY OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH OF AZERBAIJAN’S ARAZ RIVERSIDE MONUMENTS

Abstract

Archaeological investigations conducted in the ancient settlements of Nakhchivan, Karabakh, and Eastern Zangezur have revealed numerous examples of material culture belonging to the Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, Antique, and Medieval periods. In the Islamic-period monuments of Azerbaijan, formed under the influence of shared material cultures during the 11th–12th centuries, common characteristics of the Nakhchivan, Karabakh, and Tabriz architectural styles, influenced by Arran architecture and the Central Asian architectural school, have been observed in the remains of religious buildings. Ceramic samples and architectural remains uncovered during archaeological excavations have provided a clear understanding of the culture and daily life of the population living along the Araz River. Archaeological studies emphasize the importance of Nakhchivan, located at the intersection of caravan routes that became one of the main economic centers of trade with the Near and Middle East, as well as the “Khudafarin” bridges built over the Araz River. Field research and archaeological excavations carried out in the 1960s–1970s proved the strategic and commercial significance of the “Khudafarin” bridges and the surrounding areas of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, including settlements, ancient cities, fortresses, watchtowers, and urban-type settlements belonging to the Bronze, Early Iron, Antique, and Medieval periods.