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Zoroastrian Heritage

Author: K. E. Eduljee

Shamkir Achaemenid site excavations. Image credit: shamkir-archeo.az

Contents

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Azerbaijan Historical Sites

Shamkir Achaemenid Era Ruins

Mystery of Perigala

Mazikh Tower

Ilisu Tower

Achaemenid (Aryan-Zoroastrian) Era Historical Sites


Suggested prior reading:
» Caucasia
» Azerbaijan

Related reading:
» Surakhani, Azerbaijan, Atashgah
» Khinalig, Azerbaijan, Atashgah
» Darband Sasanid Fortress


Shamkir Achaemenid Era Archaeological Find

Shamkir excavations of Achaemenid era city-palace complex
Shamkir excavations of Achaemenid era city-palace complex. Credit: AzerNews

The ruins of an Achaemenid era (550-330 BCE) town, governmental and palace complex have been discovered near Shamkir's Garajamirli village. According to the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, in extent, the ruins are comparable with those in the ancient Persian cities of Pasargadae and Persepolis. [Shamkir is also spelt Shamkhir.]

The archeological team that excavated the ruins believe the complex was an administrative centre from which the Achaemenids governed the entire south Caucasus region. Their excavation revealed a large 20 hectare palace complex dated to around 480 BCE. The buildings had large columns and long corridors. The leader of the Expedition, Ilyas Babayev said a total of 28 column roots have been unearthed at the site so far (August 2016), further stating, "There seem to be more than a hundred column roots here. The palace has an entrance, which is 8 meters in width and 25 meters in length. Right behind the entrance is an audience hall 675 square meters large, surrounded by corridors and large halls. The items discovered here are few in numbers but mostly elite. The most fascinating thing is that cuneiform inscriptions have been found here." Also see Shamkir Archaeology. [Source Laman Ismayilova, AzerNews Aug. 17, 2016.]

Four other such building have been discovered in the South Caucasus region. For further details, please see Achaemenid Persian Architectural Elements in Caucasia.

Previously, the archaeological team had discovered ancient ruins near the city of Gabala (also spelt Qambala/Gebele) in the foothills of the Greater Caucasus not too far from Khinalig and its Atashgah. 1st century CE Latin writer Pliny in his Natural History at 6.29, states the capital of Albania was Cabalaca. Modern Gabala is claimed to have been that capital.


Shamkir excavations of Achaemenid era city-palace complex
Shamkir excavations of Achaemenid era city-palace complex. Credit: AzerNews
Shamkir excavations of Achaemenid era city-palace complex - column bases
Shamkir excavations of Achaemenid era city-palace complex - column bases. Credit: shamkir-archeo.az

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Suggested further reading:
» Surakhani, Azerbaijan Chahar Taqi Fire Temple
» Khinalig, Azerbaijan, Atashgah
» Azerbaijan Dakhmas
» Darband Sasanid Fortress

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