BAKU, January 29. /TASS/. Azerbaijani archeologists have discovered an ancient settlement and burials from the period of antiquity near the high-altitude settlement of Khinalug in the Quba District in the northern part of the country, the republic’s National Academy of Sciences reported on Friday.
The excavations were conducted on the premises of the Kymaligeberish archeological monument in the Khinalug state historical-architectural and ethnographic preserve. "In the territory with the area of almost one hectare an ancient settlement and burials were found. Additionally, in the south-eastern part of the monument over 15 burial mounds were discovered. The initial research allows to date them from 4th century BC to 7th century AD," head of the expedition, researcher of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of the Azerbaijani National Academy of Sciences Idris Aliyev said. According to him, a large number of artifacts were discovered at burial sites - fragments of ceramics, iron weapons, bronze decorations, stone and glass beads.
Among rare finds is a bronze phalera (a round or oval plate which in ancient Rome was used to decorate horse harnesses, while later was used as a military award, similar to contemporary medals) depicting a Gorgon. According to the expert, this finding confirms military expeditions of Roman troops to this region. Also some coins were discovered from the period of Sasanian shah Khosrow II (591-628).
The settlement of Khinalug which was declared a national historical-architectural and ethnographic preserve in 2007 is in north-western Azerbaijan near the border with Russia. Surrounded by mountains, it is located on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus Main Range at the altitude of 2,300 meters above sea level. The settlement is known for its unique traditions, customs and way of life which have been preserved since ancient times to modernity without undergoing major changes.