Gobustan petroglyphs as an indicator of primitive art: a comparative ethnographic analysis

Each historical-archaeological monument as an invaluable source serves as a sample of material and spiritual culture, lifestyle and living conditions of our ancestors, stages of development of culture and philosophy and religious beliefs. Of course, rock art can also be included in the number of such sites. Archaeological research conducted not only in Azerbaijan but also in many countries of the world led to the same conclusion that petroglyphs belonging to different periods of history from the Stone Age, in addition to being a valuable source, are primary samples of art. The complex of these images has a scientific importance as a valuable source for studying the roots of different fields of art (graphics, visual arts, music, ballet, theater), climate and history of the territory on which it was spread. Primitive art can be properly understood only in a social context, and only as a single system associated with the worldview. It is important that most experts interpret rock carvings, signs as the initial stage in the development of the mentioned fields of art. From this perspective, the art history and ethnographic study of rock art of Azerbaijan is of great scientific importance; these images are similar to West European in their artistic and aesthetic properties. One of the interesting and important issues is causes of petroglyphs. According to the researchers, it is the result of people's desire to fix everything seen - images, life, hunting scenes, etc. It is possible that petroglyphs are also the desire of ancient "artists" to leave a memory of themselves and of their family. It is important to note one more thing related to petroglyphs found in different parts of the world. The Font-de-Gaume in France, the Cave of Altamira in Spain and the Kapova cave in the Urals have images dating back to the Upper Paleolithic, and they are older than the images in Gobustan. Africa, Central Asia, Central Siberia, Mongolia also have images of the period of Gobustan images or later, and images similar to those in Gobustan. However, while images in these collections cover specific millenniums of separate historical periods, Gobustan rock art and other sites [ancient settlements, cemeteries and other archaeological and ethnographic monuments] reflect the continuity of life in a long period of time in the territory of Gobustan - about 15 thousand years - from the Upper Paleolithic to the Middle Ages. This is an important feature that distinguishes rock carvings in Gobustan from others. The main theme of rock art of Azerbaijan is the lives of people and animals. Images of women and men are reflected in the profiles of the hunter, sailor, rider, armed or unarmed man, etc. Thus, another important function of rock art is observed. They prove that, along with history, the art and culture of our people also have ancient roots in the Stone Age. According to I. Dzhafarzade, petroglyphs and other monuments and archaeological sites associated with them are a very important set of ancient culture. They can be traced to a more ancient period.

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