Azernews.Az

Laman Ismayilova

Read more

Gobustan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located near Baku, Azerbaijan, is a remarkable place that highlights our rich history and culture. Famous for its stunning rock formations and ancient carvings, Gobustan provides a fascinating look at the lives of the people who lived there thousands of years ago.

These petroglyphs, which depict various aspects of early human life, reveal the struggles and celebrations of our ancestors and their connection to the environment.

An infotour has organized for students at Gobustan State Historical-Artistic Reserve, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of this remarkable site,

The tour began with an overview of the reserve, followed by an introduction to the museum located within the complex. Faiq Ismayilov, an employee of the Institute of History and Ethnology of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, emphasized the importance of preserving historical and cultural monuments, stating, "They are the guides to our past and future. The historical and cultural monuments are a national treasure, and protecting them is everyone's duty. I am very glad to see that young people show great interest in our ancient monuments."

Rza Alakbarzada, the project executor of the "Protect Your Cultural Heritage" initiative, underlined that the project involves various infotours to Gobustan State Historical and Artistic Reserve, Mardakan and Ramana castles, the Pir Hussein shrine, and other outdoor museums with the participation of around 40 university students. He elaborated on the project's goals, which include promoting and protecting the country's rich historical and cultural heritage, enhancing practical knowledge in this field, strengthening the national human resource potential, and supporting the education of the younger generation.

Nazrin Heydarova, a student at the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University and the chair of the CreArt cultural club under the Ministry of Culture, stated that the event is a significant tool for showcasing our cultural heritage to the world. She highlighted that "the rock carvings of Gobustan are a vivid example of Azerbaijan's ancient cultural heritage and historical richness. They have played a significant role in the formation of Azerbaijani culture. It is our duty to preserve Gobustan's historical heritage and pass this richness on to future generations."

Participants of the infotour left the reserve with positive impressions after getting to know the Gobustan monuments closely, underscoring the importance of initiatives like this for fostering awareness and appreciation of Azerbaijan's cultural heritage.

Gobustan State Historical-Artistic Reserve

Gobustan State Historical-Artistic Reserve is a destination that should be at the top of any history buff's list.

The area has been inhabited for thousands of years and boasts over 600,000 distinct paintings, ranging from 20,000 years old to as recent as 5,000 years ago. In 2007, Gobustan was declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

Among the 6,000 drawings found in Gobustan are petroglyphs - stone and iron-age figures depicting hunting scenes, ceremonies, and rituals.

The famous explorer Thor Heyerdahl investigated the Gobustan petroglyphs and concluded that the oldest known images of a pirogue boat are found there.

He also made a sensational hypothesis about a connection between Norwegians and Azerbaijanis, suggesting that the ancestors of Scandinavians migrated from Azerbaijan.

Most of the rock engravings in Gobustan depict primitive men, animals, battle scenes, and other cultural practices.

In addition to the petroglyphs, visitors can see the musical gemstone known as Gaval Dash, which produces a tambourine-like sound when struck in various places.

Many Azerbaijani musicians have used Gaval Dash to create wonderful music pieces.

The musical stone and the Yallı chain dance were also featured in the interval act of the semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 held in Baku.

There is also a stone slab with a Latin inscription from the first century, left behind by the 12th Roman legion of Emperor Domitian, indicating their stay in the area.

Gobustan has been granted national status since 2006. The reserve's main goal is to safeguard the ancient rock carvings and burial mounds found in the area.

Every year, this awe-inspiring open-air museum attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world.