Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape

The Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape is a historic site in Azerbaijan, comprising a large collection of petroglyphs that reflect the flora, fauna, hunting practices, social structures, and cultural expressions of human societies from prehistoric to medieval times. These engravings provide detailed depictions of anthropomorphic figures, such as lance-bearers and ritualistic dance scenes, as well as various animal species, bullfighting events, camel caravans, and celestial symbols such as the sun and stars. Estimated to date from approximately 5,000 to 20,000 years before present, the rock art offers insight into the spiritual life and daily activities of early human populations in the region. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and forms part of the larger Gobustan State Historical and Cultural Reserve, which preserves archaeological, cultural, and natural landmarks.