The Expedition for the Archaeological Study of the Material and Cultural Heritage of Caucasian Albania, operating under the Department of Antiquity and Albanian Archaeology of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of ANAS, began archaeological investigations on July 17 at the “Kilsədağ Temple Complex” located in the village of Böyük Əmili in the Gabala region.

As a result of archaeological research conducted around the acropolis that formed near the “Kilsədağ Temple Complex,” both the defensive walls and foundation remains of towers strategically positioned within the site have been recorded. These towers, offering a 180-degree observational range over the surrounding territory, played an essential role in the site’s defense. The towers were constructed in rectangular and semi-circular forms, adapted to the local terrain.

According to Associate Professor Natig Alyshov, PhD in History, head of the department and director of the expedition, the archaeological investigations have also continued in the interior structures of small-scale utility rooms, the foundation traces of which had been observed during the 2022, 2023, and 2024 excavation seasons. Material culture uncovered within these rooms includes unglazed and glazed ceramics, bricks, tiles, glass vessel fragments, obsidian pieces, weapon fragments, and various iron and stone tools, mainly dating to the Antiquity, Early, and Classical Middle Ages.

Excavations continued in Square F, measuring 12.50 × 12.50 m, initiated in 2024. In the southwestern part of this square, near the previously known Kilsədağ circular temple, a newly discovered architectural structure with a circular stone foundation was documented. The foundation wall of this newly identified circular temple, built of rock stone, measures 1.40 m in thickness and spans a diameter of approximately 12.70 m. It parallels the circular temple discovered by archaeologist Rahim Vahidov in 1971.

A portion of the eastern wall of this newly revealed architectural structure overlaps with the lower part of the western entrance of the Kilsədağ circular temple uncovered in the 1970s. This overlap suggests not only the continuous use of the area for religious purposes over a long period but also offers an opportunity to trace the dynamic development of architectural traditions.

The wall remnants observed within the boundaries of excavation squares F, D, C, E, and G during the 2023–2024 field seasons have been fully exposed in squares F and D. In the upcoming research season, further excavation in squares C, E, and G will allow for exploration of the northwest and northeast parts of the newly discovered circular temple. Each of the excavation squares—A, B, C, D, E, F, and G—measures 12.50 × 12.50 m and have been systematically investigated from west to east along a north-south orientation.

“The stratified replacement of cultural layers spanning from the Paleolithic to the Late Middle Ages in the areas near Əmili Mountain, and the visible remains of fortification walls stretching from the foothills to the summit, underscore the strategic importance of the site,” the historian emphasized.

It should be noted that archaeological investigations at the site continued until August 25.

Source: azertag.az

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