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Popular arts have deeply-rooted background and traditions in Azerbaijan. The age of
metal works excavated in places like Nakhchivan, Mingechevir, Gazakh, Ganja, etc.
is about 5,000 years. Utensils, arms and jewellery found there not only provide a
valuable historic evidence, but also testify to a high level of craftsmanship in the area.
Since copper was discovered in the territory of Azerbaijan in Eneolithic period, metal
started playing an important role in economic, social, cultural and day-to-day lives of
primitive human societies from that time onwards. Discovery of new types of metals
like lead, tin, manganese launched the Bronze Age in Azerbaijan’s history.
The archaeological finds excavated in the territory of Azerbaijan clearly indicate that
back in the 2nd millennium B.C. our ancestors were capable of making elaborate
works of bronze, such as utensils, daggers, hatchets, belts, elements of attire and other
products widely used in day-to-day life.
Bronze works manufactured at that period, elaborate as they are, in most of the cases
were still non-decorated. A double-headed bronze figure of a deer excavated in the
vicinity of Dolanlar village in Garabagh is of a particular interest. Since in old times
metal was mainly used to manufacture artworks for religious cult, it may be assumed
that deer was one of the totems worshipped by local residents.
Belts constitute another type of ancient bronze artifacts featuring high level of
craftsmanship and artistic taste. Zoomorphic images portrayed on belts from Garabagh,
Gazakh, Gedabey and other sites are truly astounding.
Images featuring some of these metal artworks shed the light on that-time customs
and traditions, religious beliefs and types of attire. Tin rings with seals found in
Mingechevir and dating to the 8-7th centuries B.C. are particularly remarkable in this
respect. The seals on the rings portray fighting scenes between a human and a lion,
a warrior armed with spear and shield and a man worshipping fire. Finds like this are
instrumental in studying lifestyle and traditions of their respecive periods.