Archaeologists excavating the prehistoric site of Pasha Tepe in Azerbaijan’s Jalilabad district have uncovered a rare polished stone sphere that researchers say has no known parallels in the South Caucasus.
The artefact was discovered during ongoing excavations led by Vafa Mahmudova, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.
According to Mahmudova, the find is one of the most significant polished stone artefacts yet identified from the Neolithic period in the South Caucasus.
Unique artefact raises new questions
The carefully crafted stone sphere weighs approximately 1.87 kilograms and measures around 10 centimetres in diameter.
Researchers say its most distinctive characteristic is its smooth, spherical form, which lacks any perforations, impact marks or other modifications that might indicate how it was used.
Current archaeological literature contains no direct morphological parallel for the object from the South Caucasus, making it a potentially unique discovery for the region.
“The stone sphere is of particular scientific importance because of both its manufacturing technology and its possible function,” Mahmudova said. “It offers a new source of information for understanding connections between the Levant, Anatolia and the South Caucasus during the Neolithic period.”
Function remains uncertain
The sphere’s purpose has yet to be determined, and archaeologists are considering several possibilities.
Researchers suggest it may have served a ritual role or functioned as a standardised weight, although neither interpretation has yet been confirmed. Further scientific analyses and consultation with specialists are planned to establish how the object was made and used.
Medieval remains also uncovered
Excavations at Pasha Tepe have recently expanded into new areas, with archaeologists investigating deposits at depths of between 45 and 50 centimetres.
Among the additional discoveries are sections of ceramic pipeline believed to have formed part of a medieval water management or drainage system. Further analysis will be undertaken to establish the precise date of these features.
Survey work continues at Alikomektepe
Alongside the excavations at Pasha Tepe, archaeologists have also carried out field investigations at the nearby Alikomektepe archaeological site.
Working with staff from the Salyan Regional Department of the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage, researchers reviewed archival records to identify the monument’s original coordinates and redefine its protected boundaries.
The work has clarified the extent of the site’s original protection zone and documented areas that are now occupied.
Archaeological excavations and survey work continue across both sites as researchers seek to improve understanding of the region’s prehistoric and medieval past.
Sources : Report
