MEDIEVAL LIFE IN KERPIJLITEPE – SELJUK AND AFTER THE MONGOL CONQUEST PERIODS

Abstract

The medieval monument of Kerpijlitepe is located at an altitude of 208–210m sea level, in the west of the Republic of Azerbaijan, near the village of Borsunlu of the Goranboy district, on the bank of the Gazanbulag River. The name of the site is associated with the presence of numerous shards of burnt bricks on its territory. In 2016-2018, archaeological excavations were conducted in 3 phases with short breaks in Kerpijlitepe. Archaeological studies demonstrate that in the XIII centuries there was a medieval castle on this territory. Some specialists believe that there is a “caravanserai” on this territory, a typical structure for the medieval East. During excavations, a large part of the medieval castle was uncovered. Of the four semicircular outposts, only the front two are well preserved. During the excavations, remains of dwellings, brick kilns, rich fi nds of ceramics, metal, bone, glass and stone, copper coins, etc. were also found. In the X–XIII centuries Kerpijlitepe turned into a densely populated urban settlement and maintained ties with many craft, trade and cultural centers of Azerbaijan, and especially with cities such as Shamkir and Ganja.

Keywords

• archaeology
• azerbaijan
• borsunlu
• kerpijlitepe
• seljuks
• castle
• kiln
• copper coins
• mongol conquest