Rescue excavations in the territory of Eminli village in the Masally district have led to the investigation of a jar burial dating to the Classical (Antique) period. During excavations conducted by leading researchers of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of ANAS, PhD in History, Associate Professor Anar Agalarzade and PhD in History, Associate Professor Dmitriy Kirichenko, this remarkable funerary monument — provisionally designated “Jar Burial No. 3” — was discovered at a depth of 40 cm in a flat area. A notable feature is that the grave was entirely covered with marine shells, and even the interior of the burial jar was heavily damaged by shell activity. The primary reason appears to be that long after the burial, the area was flooded as a result of Caspian Sea transgressions, leaving the graves submerged for an extended period.

The jar burial was laid on its side, with the mouth oriented to the west. Near one side of the jar’s opening, a poorly fired, low-quality clay vessel with a single handle had been placed, although it had disintegrated due to severe humidity. A small spouted vessel was also positioned beside the jar. This vessel represents an oinochoe-type jug — a single-handled pouring vessel with a trefoil mouth — traditionally used for storing wine. During the burial ritual, a fire had been lit at the mouth of the jar, which in archaeological interpretation symbolizes purification from evil or harmful spirits.

Inside the jar, a human body had been buried in a tightly flexed position, lying on its right side and oriented toward the southwest. According to anthropologist D. Kirichenko, the remains belong to an adult male of Caucasoid type. The individual’s teeth show severe wear, as well as caries and dental calculus. The femoral bones indicate intensive physical activity, suggesting the individual may have been a mounted warrior. This interpretation is supported by the discovery of an iron spearhead in the grave. The buried person was therefore likely a cavalryman skilled in riding and spear combat.

Around the skeleton were placed three miniature vessels (likely for oil or perfume) and one bowl-shaped container. The ceramics recovered from the burial suggest a combination of local production and imports from the Mediterranean region.

Numerous beads of various types and sizes were found inside the jar, along with a pair of gold earrings still attached to the skeleton’s ears. The earrings were manufactured using a soldering technique and decorated in the form of grape motifs. Such earrings have parallels across the entire Classical world. This style first appeared in the Mediterranean during the Bronze Age on the island of Crete. From the mid-2nd millennium BCE onward, the form was produced by jewelers in Cyprus and Sicily and remained in use for millennia, continuing into the medieval period. Earrings of this form are also depicted on vases and coins. Casting molds used for producing them have been discovered in burials in Cyprus and Crete.

In Azerbaijan, this type of earring was first discovered in 1949 by archaeologist Omar Ismizade in graves No. 1 and No. 3 of the Yaloylutepe necropolis (Gabala district), dated to the 1st century BCE. Later, similar jewelry was found in 1st–3rd century CE catacomb burials during the Mingachevir hydroelectric excavations. Comparable examples are also known in the South Caucasus from excavations at Mtskheta (Georgia) and Garni (Armenia).

Preliminary interpretation suggests that the Eminli earrings were imported from the Mediterranean — most likely Cyprus — which in antiquity served as a major production center for such items.

The Eminli jar burial is currently considered the only richly furnished funerary monument in southeastern Azerbaijan that combines both locally produced goods and valuable imported objects from antiquity. These characteristics highlight the necessity of conducting comprehensive archaeological excavations at the site in the near future.