Publications
Rock Art of the Ana Zaga Cave Shelter in the Archaeological Landscape of Gobustan, Azerbaijan
A new analysis of the Ana Zaga rock shelter, the largest in Gobustan, reveals that its petroglyphs reflect significant shifts in human settlement and cultural themes tied to changes in the Caspian Sea's sea level. Using advanced 3D modeling with Agisoft and 3D Studio Max, researchers identified stylistic features from various periods and provided radiocarbon dating for cultural layers, defining chronological stages in rock art evolution. The study concludes that the shelter became a primary habitat during the Neolithic and Chalcolithic due to rising sea levels, while the Bronze Age saw settlement expand to lower terraces as the sea receded. This work also assesses the extinct fauna depicted in the petroglyphs, linking landscape changes to thematic shifts in rock art.
The legal and legislative framework of the cultural landscapes of North Africa and Southwest Asia
A significant disparity exists between the recognition, protection, and legal frameworks for cultural landscapes in North Africa and Southwest Asia, with a notable concentration of World Heritage-listed sites at risk. This study highlights the urgent need for comprehensive legal and legislative measures to safeguard these landscapes, exemplified by the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape in Azerbaijan. Located within the Gobustan State Historical-Artistic Reservation, this site is protected under a 1966 decree and the 1998 Historical and Cultural Monuments Law. The research underscores the regional and national variations in legal frameworks, emphasizing the importance of robust protection mechanisms to address the vulnerabilities faced by these culturally significant areas.
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