For the past two years, the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences has conducted a systematic archaeological research program at the Khojaly Archaeological Complex.
The main goal of this research is to document and analyse the archaeological heritage of the liberated region of Khojaly and to reconsider historical narratives about the region using material and stratigraphic evidence.
Of particular interest to the expedition has been the Muslim necropolis within the complex, which covers more than two hectares. Excavations in this section have found many burials that reflect both the vastness and continuity of Turkic-speaking Muslim settlement.
An impressive 212 Muslim graves have been systematically excavated, with preliminary surveys suggesting that the total number of medieval burials may exceed 2,000. The location, the contours of the graves, and the burial arrangements are relatively in line with established Islamic funerary traditions.
In addition to medieval Muslim burials, the site includes Bronze Age kurgans, indicating ritual and funerary activity dating back to prehistoric times. This stratigraphic diversity highlights Khojaly’s long-term significance as a settlement and ceremonial area across different cultural and historical phases.
Prominent within the complex is the Khojaly Muslim Mausoleum, dated to the 13th-18th centuries. Architectural analysis suggests that the structure served not only as a burial monument but also as a focal point of religious and communal memory. Furthermore, four other mausoleum locations have also been discovered around Khojaly (one of which was well preserved and dates back to 1356–1357).
The aggregate of archaeological evidence indicates that Khojaly was densely and continuously inhabited by a Muslim-Turkish population from at least the 13th to the 18th centuries.
Material culture, burial typology, and architectural assemblage generally correspond to broader patterns of activity recorded in the medieval Islamic world of the South Caucasus. Aside from its academic significance, this research has a more practical bearing on Heritage Management.
“The research confirms the dense settlement of the region by the Muslim-Turkish population between the 13th and 18th centuries. The findings are intended to contribute in the long term to the creation of an archaeological park and the development of archaeotourism,” said a member of the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences
Sources : AZERTAG
