Azerbaijan National Academy of Science

Recently, during the archaeological excavations near the village of Arasfy of Julfa region of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic the rock signs were found. Similar signs met in Eastern Anatolia and South Azerbaijan.

As you know, despite the fact that Urartians could not occupy the territory of Nakhchivan, they realized here devastating campaigns. For prevention of campaigns by ancient inhabitants of Nakhchyvan grandiose fortresses have been constructed. Sadarak fortress, Oghlangala, Garasu, Maiden Tower have prevented attacks of Urartians from the West and the valley of the river Arpachay. Faced with resistance in this direction, the enemy sought to realize his attack from the valley of the river Alinjachay. In this regard, the Gazanchigala fortress was erected, defending the road leading to Nakhchivan. Note that, the values common to the wide geographical space characters is not enough disclosed. According to the researchers, the values found in Nakhchivan signs associated with certain ceremonies and sacrifices.

It is possible to come to a conclusion that, Urartians, preparing for an attack a fortress Gazanchi, conducted sacrificial ceremony near the village Arafsa. For many ancient peoples of the stones was a symbol of unchanging, non-renewable eternal peace.

Petroglyphic signs have also been connected with religious views. But the old inscription found near the village of Hoshkeshin of Julfa district relating to the king of Urartu Menua (810-786 BC), reports about failure of this campaign. Having failed to win, Menua builds temple and a fortress at a place called as Pluadi the south of Araz in honor of chief god of Urartians Haldi, and also carries out the sacrifice.

Despite the devastating campaigns of Urartu kings, they never succeeded in occupying the territory. Build a fortress and a temple in honor of the chief god the south of Araz and not in Nakhchivan proves that they have not been able to gain a foothold in Nakhchivan. Also in the occupied territories there is no epigraphic and archaeological evidence in connection with the habitation of Urartians in Nakhchivan.

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