Archaeologists discover ancient grave of a towering warrior, dated back 3,800 years, containing a unique 4-pronged spearhead in Azerbaijan.
In a significant archaeological find, Azerbaijani archaeologists have unearthed a warrior's tomb dating back to around 1800 B.C., during the Middle Bronze Age. This remarkable discovery was made in the Keshikchidagh historical and cultural reserve, a popular archaeological hotspot that has been the focus of excavations for the past five years.
The tomb, approximately 90 feet (28 m) across and 6.6 feet (2 m) high, is a kurgan, a type of burial mound common in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The tomb's layout suggests that it belonged to a man of high status, possibly a military leader.
Shamil Najafov, an archaeologist at the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences, led the latest excavation. The warrior was found in a 'semiflexed' position, holding a bronze spearhead and accompanied by a four-pronged spearhead, a rare find in the region.
The man, who stood around 6 feet, 7 inches (2 meters) tall, was buried with other grave goods such as glass beads, obsidian tools, and twelve inlaid and richly decorated earthenware jugs. Some of the jugs contained the remains of cooked animal bones, intended as food for the warrior after death. Bronze adornments were also found around one of the warrior's ankles.
The tomb contained three divisions: one for the body and equipment, another for pottery vessels, and a third that was empty. The division within the tomb may have reflected a belief in an 'other world' after death.
Azerbaijan has hundreds of kurgans dating to the Bronze Age and Iron Age, making it a treasure trove for archaeologists seeking to understand the past. The excavations in the Keshikchidagh cultural reserve have been ongoing for the last five years, involving government archaeologists, university academics, and volunteers.
This discovery offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the people who lived in the region over 3,800 years ago. As excavations continue, we can expect to learn more about the warrior and his society in the coming months and years.
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