The first archaeological excavations have begun at a settlement discovered during the construction of a new road to the village, on the right bank of the Vilashchay River, on the 41st km of the Masalli-Yardimli highway in the southeastern part of Azerbaijan, on the left side of the road. The expedition, led by Anar Agalarzade, a leading researcher at the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, PhD in Technical Sciences, associate professor, is to trace the stages of population settlement in the mountainous region during the Late Bronze-Early Iron Ages. In this regard, the Vilashchay settlement, which was excavated, is of great importance.

Initial research conducted at the monument covers an area of more than 150 sq.m. The fact that the thickness of the cultural layer of the settlement is more than 5 m suggests that there was continuous, long-term and intensive habitation in the area during the period in question. One of the factors determining these features is the location of traces of ancient habitation precisely on the banks of the abundantly watered Vilashchay River. The length of the Vilashchay River, which originates from the Guludash peak (2203 m) of the Talysh mountain range, is 115 km. In the area with a mild climate, a favorable location for rain-fed agriculture and extensive pastures, the development of various fields such as cattle breeding, agriculture, and crafts has rapidly developed. The new excavations have revealed house foundations made of river stone, fragments of household jugs of various shapes and sizes, fragments of finely crafted small-sized or miniature vessels used in everyday life, bone awls used in weaving, etc., indicating the development of pottery in the production economy and weaving in the household, while the numerous osteological remains of large and small-horned cattle indicate the widespread spread of cattle breeding and its dominant position in the household economy.

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