Mesolithic and Neolithic Culture of Gobustan

The Gobustan archaeological assemblage is one of the most important resources for studying the ancient history of Azerbaijan and the broader Caucasus. This collection of sites – comprising campsites, settlements and burials from the Mesolithic, Neolithic, and Bronze Ages, along with thousands of rock engravings – has consistently drawn the interest of archaeologists. Located in eastern Azerbaijan on the shore of the Caspian Sea, the Gobustan sites have been excavated for decades. In Gobustan monuments, archaeologists have discovered more than 6.000 petroglyphs during the excavations, which were carried out in rock shelters, barrows and other monuments, starting from the 40s of the last century. The excavations at campsites such as “Ovchularzagasi”, “Anazaga”, “Qayaarasi”, “Qayaarasi-2”, “Keniza”, “Firuz”, “Firuz-2”, “Okuzler-2” and others have shown that the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods are continuously connected in this sites. This connection is evident both in the stratigraphic sequence and in the succession of technical-typological characteristics of stone tools. Single and multiple burials from the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods were discovered during excavations in “Kenize” and “Firuz” sites. Unique rock carvings of Gobustan stand out from the others across Eurasia due to their technique, style, and themes. The Mesolithic and Neolithic campsites of Gobustan, together with the burials, stone tool assemblages, and petroglyphs discovered there, provide clear evidence for the existence of a distinct Gobustan archaeological culture, forming a unifi ed complex in the region.