Remains of ancient bath are found in Azerbaijan

The ruins of the ancient bath, dating back almost a thousand years,  were discovered during excavations in Shemakha city, 120 km west of Baku, according to the  site of the National Science Academy of Azerbaijan www.science.gov.az.

"A valuable find was discovered during excavations in the fortress of Gulistan,  one of the main residences of the ancient rulers of Azerbaijan , Shirvanshahs (in IX - XVI centuries), by the  employees of  Shemakha-Agsu expedition of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography," noted the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS.)

In addition, archaeologists have found the remains of water pipelines providing Gulistan fortress with water. A lot of copper and silver coins minted in ancient Azerbaijani cities Shemakha, Gulistan, Gabala, Shabran, Ganja and Tabriz were found, as well as pottery and jewelry made by local artisans, as well as imported from China, Persia, Central Asia and Europe.

According to ANAS, the excavations   have been conducted in the fortress of Gulistan  since 2011. "During the ongoing research, a large number of samples of material culture, the remains of buildings for various purposes, tools and weapons, items of jewelry made of bronze and glass, silver and copper coins  of the 4th -15th centuries, cannonballs, and conduit , which was dug  for escape from the fortress, were found," according to the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography.

Gulistan fortress once was a powerful defensive  fortress. Historians believe at a time when  Shemakha was the capital of  Shirvanshahs, there was a palace of the rulers of Shirvan outside its walls. In the middle Ages, this fortress built in the 11th- 12th centuries, often  was attacked by the Arabian and Persian troops. It existed until the 14th century. Although  the construction  suffered from many wars and earthquakes, its ruins still exist. Remains of walls with round and rectangular towers can be seen at the entrance to Shamakhi, ITAR-TASS reported.-0-