Gobustan’s Rock Art: A Journey Through Prehistoric Azerbaijan 2025

The Gobustan State Historical and Cultural Reserve, located about 60–70 km southwest of Baku, Azerbaijan, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed in 2007) renowned for its collection of over 6,000 rock petroglyphs spread across more than 1,000 rock surfaces.

These ancient carvings, found primarily on the Boyukdash, Kichikdash, and Jingirdagh mountains, date from the Upper Paleolithic era (ca. 40,000 years ago) to the Middle Ages, offering a remarkable record of prehistoric and early historic life in the Caucasus.

The petroglyphs were first noted in the 1930s during quarrying activities and systematically studied from 1939 by archaeologist Ishag Jafarzadeh, who cataloged over 3,500 carvings. Further research expanded the count and scope.

The carvings span six periods, from the Mesolithic to the Middle Ages, reflecting evolving human activities and environmental changes in the region.

The site includes caves, settlements, burial sites, and over 100,000 artifacts (tools, jewelry, bones), providing evidence of continuous human occupation.

Depictions of hunters, warriors, dancers (notably the “Yalli” ritual dance), and fishermen in reed boats, some resembling Viking longships, suggesting possible ancient maritime or cultural connections to Europe or the Mediterranean.

Wild species like gazelles, goats, deer, boars, lions, and domesticated animals, reflecting a shift from hunting to early pastoralism.

Birds, fish, insects, celestial symbols, and scenes of group hunts, battles, caravans, and rituals. A notable 1st-century AD Latin inscription by Roman legions near Mount Beyukdash marks the easternmost Roman presence recorded.

The petroglyphs document a transition from hunter-gatherer societies in a wetter, forested climate to organized communities with early agriculture and social rituals.

I visited the site with the tour company My Tour Baku and I would highly recommend them.

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