Eybatov T.M.*¹, Zeynalov A.A.^1,2, Kangarli T.N.³, Rashidov T.M.³

^*1 Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Museum of Natural History, Azerbaijan 17, Lermontov Street, Baku, AZ1006: t_eybatov@mail.ru

² Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, Azerbaijan 115, H.Javid Ave., Baku, AZ1073: azykh1960@gmail.com

³ Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Azerbaijan 119, H.Javid Ave., Baku, AZ1073: tofig.rashidov@gmail.com

DOI: 10.35714/ggistrat20250200018

Summary. The paper deals with results of study of the fossil vertebrates and the Lower Palaeolithic sites located in the West Azerbaijan. In Jeyranchol steppe and vicinity of Mingachevir reservoir the richest burials of vertebrates in combination with the Lower Palaeolithic sites of the Absheronian-Bakuvian time had been discovered. The sites of the fossil vertebral fauna such like Eldar, Gushguna and Bozdagh-Garaja, are rightfully evaluated as the unique geological monuments (geosites). The history of discovery and study of the described geosites and the Lower Palaeolithic sites is given as well. The detailed analysis of the fossil fauna made it possible to identify the Pleistocene mammalian species exclusive for the Caucasus. There are data regarding the paleogeographic environments of the Miocene-Pleistocene in the South Caucasus eastern part as well as the data regarding the geologic-geomorphological situation in the area of Lower Palaeolithic site Garaja. The possible time frames (Bakuvian time, 0.5-0.4 Ma) of the archaeological site forming are defined on the base of analysis of geologic setting and paleofauna remains. The analysis of archaeological materials is given. The integrated studies of the fossil fauna findspots and the Lower Palaeolithic archaeological sites had allowed reconstructing the paleogeographic conditions of habitat of the fossil fauna and early hominids during the Miocene-Pleistocene. As concluded from the studies, the surroundings of Mingachevir water reservoir represent the unique (over 100 km) “graveyard” of fossil vertebrates and the concentration of the Lower Palaeolithic archaeological sites.

Keywords: Mingachevir reservoir, geosite, vertebrate fauna, Azykh, Garaja, Guruchay culture

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