Due to its mild climate and favorable
conditions for humans, Azerbaijan was one of the first places where
ancient human civilizations occurred. The results of archeological
excavations demonstrated that ancient people in Azerbaijan created
numerous works of arts, specifically architectural monuments.
Architecture reflects the history of the humankind. It started with
natural caves that served as homes for ancient people. Azerbaijan has
numerous such caves within its territory, particularly in the foothills
of the Major Caucasus and Minor Caucasus Mountains, in the Talysh
Mountains, in the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, in Zangilan,
Kalbadjar, Gadabay, Khanlar, Shamaxi as well as the Azikh cave, which
was discovered in the territory of the Fuzuli region. It was determined
that people lived in those caves nearly 1.5 million years ago and tried
to adapt natural caves to their lifestyle as a result of increasing
awareness and the development of labor and building tools. They drilled
hole (flues) in the ceiling to guide fire smoke out of the cave, and
they made special hollows into internal walls to keep their tools. The
construction works that were carried out in caves by the ancient people
resulted in the appearance of artificial caves in later stages. The
artificial caves were made into sheer cliffs and at the foothills of the
mountains, just as natural caves are situated. They can be found in the
south-eastern foothills of the Major Caucasus, in the Minor Caucasus, on
the Bargushad and Akara banks in the Gubadli region, near the villages
of Maraza, Sundi and Darakandi in the Shirvan region, as well as in the
territories, which long ago belonged to the ancient states of Manna and
Midia. Wherever the artificial caves were built, ancient people tried to
build them at a certain height above ground level for security purposes.
The methods of artificial cave construction started changing after the
invention of masonry. People began to build new mud and half-mud huts
after masonry was invented. Such buildings were usually constructed into
mountainsides and hillsides. Ancient people did not have strong skills
in masonry building and were not capable of constructing buildings to
their desired height. They created an underground grotto in the lower
part, while the upper part (the entrance) served as a porch of natural
stones to protect them from heat and cold. Scientists report that such
buildings existed even before the state of Midiya and were widespread
during the period of Midiya.
At first masonry was used in front sides and laterals, then in back
sides of grotto in next development period of buildings of cave type.
Replacing of flat walls by masonry and improvement of people's
construction skill leaded gradually to appearance of overground
buildings.
The buildings based on artificial caves passed a long way of historical
development and became known under the name of Garadan in the history of
architecture. Garadans that were built in Azerbaijan were gradually
adapted to the local climatic condition and acquired various
architectural-planning qualities. Domestic animals were usually kept in
such residents as well. According to the historical sources, garadans
were used in Azerbaijan until the beginning of the 20th century.
Megalith architectural monuments-cromlechs, menhirs (herdsman's stone),
dolmens and Cyclopes buildings were widespread along with the oldest
places of residence found in Gobustan (caves, different primitive
shelters and etc.).
These monuments made of high stones are called "galadja" or "horukdash"
by people. Defense buildings as Chalkhangala near Nakhichevan (Bronze
epoch) and Oglangala on the bank of the Arpachay river (II-I thousand
years B.C) belonged to Cyclopes buildings. Rocky buildings (Bastam,
Danali, Galaoglu and etc.) were found near the Araz river in Southern
Azerbaijan.
New towns, defense buildings, grand towers were constructed in
connection with birth of Manna state in the territory of Azerbaijan in
IX-VII centuries B.C, then Atrapatena state in the south. Research of
toms on cliffs of the Urmiya lakeside and monument complex in Hasanli
region show that flat of porch type had been built since VII century.
The fire altar (where holly fire kept) only religious monument of that
time remained till nowadays. Architectural types, appeared in that
period, influenced on consequent architectural development of
Azerbaijan, as well as architecture of Iran and other Near East states
in the Ahamanies period. Fire temples, appeared in connection with
fire-worship spreading, are main religious buildings constructed before
Islam.
Important steps were taken in town building in the period of Caucasian
Albania (IV century B.C -VII century). Strong fortress walls and
earthenware water-piping of Gabala town, defense system ("long walls")
built Damirgapi (Darband) passage, Chiraggala (VI century), Round
Christian temple in Lakit village (V-VI centuries), basilica in Gum
village (approximately VI century A.D.), temple complexes in Mingachevir
(VII century) show high level of town-building culture. Architectural
monuments of Sasanis period particularly attract attention. Gilgilchay
wall, prolonged from the Caspian shore to the foot of Babadagh mountain,
and Beshbarmagh wall, prolonged from Beshbarmag mountain in present
Davachi region to the Caspian shore, create wide idea on development of
fortification buildings.
Architectural direction changed in connection with spreading of Islam in
Azerbaijan after Arabic occupation (VII century). Construction of
buildings of new type as mosques, madrasas (religious school,
caravanserais etc. became major line in architecture. Barda, Ardabil,
Maragha, Urmiya, Shamaxi, Shamkir, Shabran, Beylagan, Gandja and
Nakhichevan were important towns of Azerbaijan in that time. Turning of
Shamaxi, Gandja and Nakhichevan into big towns happened in this period.
Christian temples, defense fortification were built in some provinces of
Caucasian Albania along with Islamic buildings. Djavanshir tower, built
in the territory of present Ismayilli (approximately VII century), and
tower complex near Yukhari Askipara village of Gazakh region (V-VIII
centuries) particularly attract attention.
Generally, Albanian buildings made in Azerbaijan territories before and
after Islam took important role in architectural development. Some of
them such as building remains of IV-V centuries in Pashan and Mukhakh
villages of Zagatala region, Govurgala (VI century) in Boyuk Galdak
village of Shaki region, Albanian monuments (IV-VIII centuries) in Boyuk
Amirli village of Gabala region, Albanian church (middle ages) in Oguz
town, Albanian church (I century) in Garakand village of Khodjavand
region Nagorny Karabakh, Albanian temples in Sos village (IV century),
Iatsi village (temple of V,VII and VIII centuries), in Tagaverd village
(675), Guneychartar village (1236), Aterk village of Agdara region (V
century), Kolatag (614), Gochogot (672, 698), former Dostahir (713),
Gasapet (718), Chaldiran villages (XI century), as well as Susanlig
(IV-V century), Vang (IX century), Trakhtik (1094), Tsakuri (1131),
Mammadadzor (1147), Tug villages (1197) of Upper Nagorny Karabakh,
Shushikand (905), Chanagchi (1065 and 1100), Khachmaz (1100), Khantsk
(1122), Khndzristan villages (1202) of Asgaran region has been preserved
till nowadays.ve form of Azerbaijani folk art. |