Early Medieval Fortifications of Cambysena
Abstract
The purpose of the research paper is to examine fortress-cities, castles, defensive fortifications and barriers, as well as fortress-temples, which were built in the early medieval period of northwestern Azerbaijan and were important strategic points of Caucasian Albania.
Scientific novelty. During the study of the early medieval period fortifications of Azerbaijan, taking into account the local characteristics, we divided the fortification monuments according to the following classification: 1) Castle-cities or fortifications (fortified settlements); 2) Castles and defensive fortifications; 3) Towers and observation points; 4) Defensive barriers; 5) Castle-temples; 6) Guard posts and military camps; 7) Defensive crossings and strategic crossings.
Conclusions. Important scientific results were obtained by comparing the results of archaeological research with the information provided by written sources, and a number of issues were clarified as a result of the systematic study of the history of Caucasian Albania and its defensive monuments.
The study of the defensive fortifications and fortresses of Caucasian Albania is one of the urgent issues of archaeology. The study of the fortification monuments of northwestern Azerbaijan is also important in terms of their classification. During the classification of monuments of this type, specialists studying early medieval fortifications analyzed them based on the purpose of their construction, construction characteristics, and the defensive systems on which they were based, and classified them according to their function in the period.
The results of the research show that defense work was perfectly organized in the territory of Caucasian Albania in the early Middle Ages. In fact, the political conditions in the region made it a necessity. The magnificent monuments left to us by the local population serve as a valuable source for studying the history, archaeology, architecture, military art, and other historical issues of that period. The fortifications of Caucasian Albania indicate the flourishing of its architecture.
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