Gobustan Reserve - World Natural Heritage in Azerbaijan

The United Nations Science, Education and Culture Organization recognizes the Gobustan Reserve of Azerbaijan as the World Natural Heritage in 2007.

Gobustan reserve is located west of Gobustan, about 40 km southwest of the center of Baku city. This reserve was established in 1986, when the land was recognized by the Government as a national-sized historic site of Azerbaijan.

Gobustan reserve was established to protect and preserve the medieval carvings and mud-erupting volcanoes in the region.

The rock outside the reserve gate and the stone carvings at the reserve

The total area of ​​the reserve is up to 537 hectares with over 6,000 stone pictures. These motifs depict the original human figure, animals, battles, worship dances, bullfighting, boat-carrying warriors, caravans with camels, pictures Sun, moon, stars from about 5,000 to 20,000 years ago. Many caves in the reserve have human hunting tools since primitive times. Caves in the Gobustan sanctuary are typical art and historical museums of stone carving techniques of medieval and prehistoric humans.

Through understanding the stone carvings in this sanctuary, archaeologists and historians can understand prehistoric life in the Caucasus mountains . The remaining engravings here describe the ancient civilian scene moving on reed wooden boats, the chamois hunters and the good cows, the women dancing the traditional rhythms of the tribe . House The well-known Norwegian anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl has a lot of research on living life of this period, his studies have been published into books.

The volcanic caves remaining in the reserve with rock holes like honeycomb

The entire area of ​​the cave and mud volcanoes in the conservation area have been forgotten for quite a long time. Until 1939, research studies on the geological stratum as well as the history of this area were carried out. In 1947, explorer and research IM Djafarsade analyzed 750 stone samples with over 3,500 stone carvings. In 1965, extensive excavations and researches were conducted. Also during this excavation a cave with a 2-meter and 10,000-year-old geologic layer was discovered. After that year, the Government of Azerbaijan has taken measures to protect this area quite strictly.

Sludge volcanic areas in Gobustan conservation area

Apart from the stone carvings, Gobustan Preserve is still about 300 out of 700 volcanic eruptions . Many geologists as well as tourists who came here to get mud baths were sprayed from the crater. It is thought that if the mud baths erupted by volcanoes can cure the disease.

In 2001, a volcano 15km from Baku's ancient city was sprayed with mud, and the mud was sprayed up to 15m high. Another special thing at Gobustan Reserve is the stone called Gaval Dash , this is a rock that emits the unique natural music in Gobustan, Azerbaijan. According to the books about the rock, this is a large rock with a flat shape, formed on 3 supporting stones. Scientists believe that the rock was formed by the compound of oil, gas and climate specific in this area. Just holding a stone to kick the rock, there will be music that sounds like a rattle.

Currently, many visitors to Azerbaijan want to visit and mud bath in Gobustan conservation area. This, while providing certain economic benefits, is also a challenge to preserve and protect this area.