Rock paintings of Absheron
While the rock paintings of Gobustan, 60
kilometres from Baku, have world renown, few know about specimens of
ancient cave art in Absheron proper that can be traced along the Caspian
coast from Gobsutan to Baku and further into the peninsula. Rock
paintings and dwellings of the prehistoric man have been identified near
the settlements of Mardakan, Shuvelan, Zira, Surakhana, Ramana, Gala and
at the landfall of the dam connecting the peninsula with the island of
Pir Allahi.
One of the most significant artifacts of the ancient art in the region
are the paintings on the walls of a grotto in the east of Absheron where
the Dubendi High slopes towards the sea. The landscape of this area is
surprisingly similar to that of Gobustan with huge boulders scattered on
a rocky terrain. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The grotto, that is situated about 150 to
200 metres from the coast on the eastern slope of the Dubendi High, is
formed by a large slab of rock overhanging a cliff and creating a small
enclosure. The grotto was discovered in late 1960s and studied by
Azerbaijani archaeologists Gardashkhan Aslanov and later Idris Aliyev,
who identified here the site of prehistoric human dwellings and cave
art.
|
|
|
Engraved on the northern face of the
grotto are renderings of humans and bulls. The nature of these paintings
is similar to those in Gobustan, and the content suggests cattle grazing
and hunting by the prehistoric man living in the area. The most ancient
paintings that date back to late Neolithic Period have been discovered
in the east of the peninsula.
|
The photos were made by author (Faig Nasibov, 2006). |