The Late Bronze-Early Iron Age Monument in the High Mountain Area of the Little Caucasus: Chovdar Necropolis
Lola Huseynova Akbar*
Department of the Iron Age of ANAS Institute of Archaeology, Ethnography and Anthropology, Azerbaijan
Submission: February 28, 2023; Published: March 17, 2023
*Corresponding author: Lola Huseynova Akbar, Department of the Iron Age of ANAS Institute of Archaeology, Ethnography and Anthropology, Azerbaijan
How to cite this article: Lola Huseynova Akbar. The Late Bronze-Early Iron Age Monument in the High Mountain Area of the Little Caucasus: Chovdar Necropolis. Glob J Arch & Anthropol. 2023; 13(1): 555852. DOI: 10.19080/GJAA.2023.13.555852
Abstract
Our research is dedicated to the archaeological research conducted in the territory of Chowdar village, Dashkasan region of Azerbaijan. Here, 214 stone box graves were involved in scientific research.
Keywords: Necropolis; Stone Box; Trepanation; Horse Burial; Late Bronze
Mini Review
Chowdar village of Dashkasa is located on the northern slope of Chowdar mountain at an altitude of 1733 m. Stone box graves were found during mining construction works in the ore processing area of “Azer Gold” CJSC operating in the village of Chovdar. In 2019 [1] and 2021 [2], archeologists of ANAS Institute of Archaeology, Ethnography and Anthropology were sent to the region. During the rescue excavations, 156 stone box graves were opened in 2019 and 58 in 2021 and involved in research. The structure of the tombs consists of a stone box built in a quadrangular shape and covered with large boulders. Some of the stones used to build the chamber are hewn and some are unhewn. In only one of the graves, a special carving mark was found on the top cover of grave No. 185. The directions of the graves are different. They are directed north-south, east-west, northeast-southwest, northwest-southeast. A single principle is expected at the entrance gate of the graves [3]. The entrance door of the graves is calculated in the direction of sunset. It was believed that life started with the sunrise and ended with the sunset. This burial custom is also related to belief in the sun. In total, all cameras With the exception of three of the stone boxes are single burials. The skeletons were mostly found in a disintegrated state. As a result of anthropological studies, it was determined that the burials on the right side belonged to men, and the burials on the left side belonged to women. As a result of anthropological studies, it was determined that the burials on the right side belonged to men, and the burials on the left side belonged to women. The equipment placed in the graves differs according to the gender of individuals. For example, weapons were found in men’s graves, and head ornaments were found in women’s graves. In addition, the fact that there is a dental problem, a skull with a blunt instrument and a trepanated skull were found in the necropolis. One of the skeletons has a bronze spearhead on the spine. This fact confirms the presence of inter-tribal and intra-tribal conflicts [4]. Although looting was observed in the necropolis, a large number of grave gifts were obtained. These include ceramic products of various purposes [5], iron, bronze, stone weapons, bronze products, ornaments. The pottery was made by hand and on the potter’s wheel [6]. The metal product consists of 10 chemical elements. Until now, 8 elements were known to be used for late bronze early iron age metal [7]. In addition, a horse burial was observed in the necropolis. The horse was buried on the graves with its head cut off.
The materials of this monument prove that the stone boxes belonged to the carriers of the Khojaly Gadabay culture [8], which existed in the Late Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age. Further studies of the monument suggest that it reflects a history of about 600 years, not 300 years as we thought before.
References
- Ashurov S, Jalilov B (2019) ANAS Institute of Archaeology, Ethnography and Anthropology. Scientific Archive. Report on the Chovdar Necropolis.
- Jalilov B, Huseynov MM, Huseynova L, Gasanovi V (2021) Chovdar. Report on the results of the archaeological excavations carried out by the Gushchu archaeological expeditions in 2021 at the Chovdar monument. Baku, Azerbaijan.
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- Jalilov B, Ashurov S, Huseynov MM, Huseynova L, Laneri N, et al. (2023) Preliminary X-ray Fluorescence Analysis of Metallic Samples from the Chovdar Necropolis in Azerbaijan. Heritage 6(1): 199-211.
- Huseynova L (2020) The Chovdar collection of the National Azerbaijan History Museum as a source for the study of burial customs of the Khojaly-Gadabey culture. Azerbaijan National Academy of sciences council of young scientists and specialists. ANAS-75, pp. 486-487.