Geoarchaeological investigation in Azerbaijan in 2021

In 2021 a joint Russian-Azerbaijani geoarchaeological studies were carried out in Republic of Azerbaijan. The coastal area of the Mingechevir Reservoir was investigated, primarily the beaches of the south-western shore at the foots of the Bozdag and Garaja Ranges. A representative collection of stone artifacts (136 specimens) and Pleistocene faunal remains (35 specimens) were collected at the Garaja site. Among the cores, 80 % are simple nuclei of the parallel reduction strategy; few radial and citron cores were found. The main tool categories are choppers and large bifacially worked artifacts, pebble scrapers were also noted. The Garaja complex represents a homogenous lithic industry, well-correlated with the pan-Caucasus context of early Paleolithic complexes with bifacial tools and corresponds to the chronological period (the Bakunian period of the Caspian region) determined by geological and paleontological data. In addition to the Garaja site, another location of artifact concentration was discovered at 2 km eastwards of the main site. Here, 18 stone tools and a fragment of deer antler were found on a stretch of the beach about 100 m long; the artifact composition is similar to the Garaja collection. A test pit was established at Girmizi-Gaya in the outskirts of Ganja city. Four layers were distinguished in the trench; the two upper layers bore archaeological material. The total collection of artifacts (excavation and surface collection) amounted to more than 300 items. A fragment of a vessel rim found in layer 2 suggests attribution of the material to the late Neolithic or later period. Preliminary data make it possible to define this site as a short-term transit camp. In Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Gazma Cave, the only known Paleolithic site in this part of Azerbaijan, was studied. Here, the excavation trench was uncovered, the profile was cleaned up and a series of samples were taken for radiocarbon and OSL dating.