As one of the magnificent historical monuments of Azerbaijan, Garakopektepe is located on the right bank of Kondelenchay, at the entrance into Fuzuli city. The monument is a truncated cone shaped high hill. The height of the hill is 50 meters, the diameter from the North to the South is 220 m, from the West to the East is 180 m. Garakopektepe was formerly mentioned in scientific literature as a sepulchral monument, a type of burial mound or barrow. The excavations of the Garakopektepe settlement started in the late nineteenth century. Thus, Emil Resler, the German archaeologists, came her for the investigation of the settlement. Later on, the Russian archaeologist A.A. Ivanovsky, a prominent member of the Moscow Archaeological Society Garakopektepe, made an excavation in the settlement. “But the firm kept its secrets Garakopektepe thick layers of earth, this outstanding scientist had even confused. Since then, the scientific literature for a long time ruled the wrong idea about the monument, and it was considered mound”.[1] However, during the thorough archaeological excavations carried out in 1960-1980s, it became clear that this monument was an ancient settlement. The cultural layers identified here confirm that this settlement existed in the area over several millennia.

The oldest stage of Garakopektepe coincides with the Mesolithic Age. Flint and microlitic obsidian artifacts discovered in the territory of the monument are clear evidence of settling this area over the same period. It is believed that in that time the Mesolithic Age hunters inhabited this hill. The next layer cropping out on the surface of Garakopektepe is dated to the period of fully developed sedentary farming. This period coincides with the 6^th-5^th millennium BC. This stage is characterized by small adobe constructions for everyday household needs, very simple agricultural tools and primitive clay utensils. In this cultural layer, there were revealed stone, bone and horn adzes and sickles as well as utensils typical for that period. In the period of the Early Bronze Age and the early bronze culture spreading over the territory of Azerbaijan, i.e. in the 4^th-3^rd millennium BC, round and rectangular dwelling and household premises typical for this period were built on the slope and at the foot of this archaeological monument. These constructions affirm that at that time Garakopektepe was an inhabited place and craft center. Among the ancient handcrafts developed here are metalwork, pottery, weaving and others.[2]

It is interesting that the thickness of the cultural layer dated to this period is 7 m. This is evidence for the existence of very intensive life activities in the territory of the monument. In the course of archaeological excavations, there were discovered high-quality glossed ceramics, examples of small plastic art, and various ritual fireplaces. Very rare and valuable finds were revealed in the above-mentioned layer of the Garakopektepe monument. Among them are spearheads made of meteorite stone, a clay mould for the bronze axe and ceramics richly decorated with symbolic ornaments. During the archaeological excavations carried out in the territory of the monument, artifacts dated to other stages of the Bronze Age were found. Excavations carried out in the upper layer of this period resulted in finding the ruins of a magnificent wall dated to the Middle Bronze Age. Various ceramic ware, decorations and other artifacts discovered in this layer cover the same period. The obtained materials demonstrate convincingly the development of the cultural interactions and trade connections between the local population and Southwest Asia.[3]

Also, it is necessary to note that a large burial site belonged to the ancient people who inhabited this area was discovered in the territory not far from Garakopektepe. Interesting discoveries covering Bronze and Early Iron Ages were obtained during the archaeological excavations carried out in this territory. The cultural and economic development of Garakopektepe also proceeded during the next ages. Thus, a very important watchtower that had been erected on the Great Silk Road existed here in the Early Middle Age. The territory was entirely covered with stone buildings. Archaeological artifacts excavated here give grounds to advance the idea that in the Middle Age Garakopektepe was a significant trade and craft settlement that played an important role in the life of the region.[4]

[1] Aslanov, E.M., “To the Question on research of Garakopektepe Archaelogical Monument”, International Scientific Journal Theoretical & Applied Science, Vol. 44, Issue 12, 2016, p. 76.

[2] Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Garabakh: The Eternal Memory of Azerbaijan Heritage, (2008), pp. 247-249. See also: Azərbaycan tarixi (7 volumes), Vol. 1, (Çıraq, 2007), p. 719. See also: Azərbaycan arxeologiyası (6 volumes), Vol. 6, (Şərq-Qərb, 2008), p. 632.

[3] Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Garabakh: The Eternal Memory of Azerbaijan Heritage, pp. 247-249. See also: Aslanov, “To the Question on research of Garakopektepe Archaelogical Monument”, p. 77.

[4] Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Garabakh: The Eternal Memory of Azerbaijan Heritage, pp. 247-249.