Govurqala
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Govurqala is a name, shared by four archaeological sites in Azerbaijan, located in Agdam, Oguz, Shaki rayons and near Nakhchivan.
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[edit] Agdam rayon
Govurqala is within the Boyahmadly village and represents a 3rd-10th century-related town and cemetery with an area of ca. 40 ha. This Govurqala is estimated to be the summer residency of Caucasus Albania rulers and to have the remnants of the medieval town of Aluen.[1] During excavations beads, weaving instruments, stone houses, Pagan and Christian shrines, glass fragrance vessel and other evidences were found. Currency of Byzantine emperor Anastasius I is also among artifacts.[1] Related works were published in 1965 and 1978 in Azeri (R. Vahidov) and Russian (R. Geyushev).
[edit] Oguz rayon
This Govurqala lays to the north from Khachmaz village and is a medieval walled stand with round and square towers (3-6 m in height, 1-1,5 m wide).[1] Twelve buildings are within the stand, out of walls there are two moats (15 m long, 8 m wide, 10 m deep, another is 100/30/20 m).[1] During the 1965 excavations some other evidences were found.[1]
[edit] Shaki rayon
Local Govurqala (220x75 m) is a 5th-14th century populated place and is also a walled defense stand with round and square towers.[1] The wall width is 1 m at the bottom and 80 cm on top with a height of 5-15 m. Clay jugs, frying-pan, vat and other items were found here.[1] The stand is supposed to be built in Sasanid period to prevent the Khazarian raids and demolished during the Timurid attack.[1]
[edit] Nakhchivan
Govurqala here is 35 km north-west from Nakhchivan, on the left bank of Araz. Inhabited place is dated back to the Bronze Age (3rd-2nd century BC), the area is over 5 ha.[1] During the 1936 and 1967-75 excavations different stone tools, monochrome and polychrome ceramics, stone tombs etc. were revealed.[1] In the middle of the 2nd century BC the place has turned into the town-like settlement and the centre of tribal alliances.[1] Population was engaged in agriculture, stock-breeding and pottery-making.[1]
