The Gobustan State Historical and Artistic Reserve, known as Qobustan in Azerbaijani, spans an impressive 3,000 hectares. The name “Gobustan” translates to “land of ravines,” derived from “gobu,” meaning hollow or ravine, and “stan,” which signifies land or place. As you gaze upon the stunning landscapes of the reserve, it feels as if ancient giants scattered stones across the slopes leading down to the turquoise waters of the Caspian Sea. This plain, nestled between the southeastern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range and the Caspian Sea, was home to humans from the Stone Age through the medieval period. Their legacy includes numerous ancient settlements, inhabited caves, burial monuments, and, of course, rock engravings concentrated in the mountains of Gobustan, notably at sites such as Bueyukdash, Kichikdash, Jingirdag, Shongardag, and Shikhgaya.
The crown jewel of Gobustan is its petroglyphs—rock carvings that are approximately 15,000 years old! In total, Gobustan boasts around 6,000 engravings depicting animals, birds, ritual dances, hunting scenes, daily life, boats, and various symbols. Scholars believe these images were created from the Upper Paleolithic period to the medieval era. The reserve is considered one of the largest museums of ancient rock art in the world and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007.
The petroglyphs showcase a variety of human and animal figures, hunting scenes, ritual dances, agriculture, celestial bodies, and natural phenomena. The images are diverse and strikingly realistic. Notably, the depictions of boats with a sun at the bow are believed to represent ancient pagan beliefs, suggesting that these vessels transported the souls of the deceased to the afterlife.
Among the historical attractions of the reserve are the ancient human settlements, burial monuments, and prehistoric musical instruments made from natural materials. Visitors can even see and play the ghaval-dash, a rock-like musical instrument that produces rhythmic sounds. The site also preserves fragments of a large prehistoric megalithic structure known as a cromlech.
A well-paved road leads to the museum of the reserve, which is a must-visit and offers an engaging and interactive experience! The museum features two floors, each housing several thematic halls. Upon entering, visitors are welcomed into the first level lobby, where they can familiarize themselves with the museum’s focus on petroglyphs. Images of Gobustan’s petroglyphs adorn the walls and ceilings of the hall.
Before the first humans settled in Gobustan, the climate, environment, population, and cultural development underwent significant changes. This hall illustrates the scale of those transformations, showcasing the most important events that unfolded in Gobustan and throughout Azerbaijan’s history, starting from the era of the dinosaurs.
The creators of the Gobustan petroglyphs built shelters for sleeping, gathered food, hunted animals, crafted tools and clothing, celebrated successes, and mourned their losses. The display of original artifacts reflects the daily lives of Stone Age people, with many aspects captured in artistic representations.
The zero-level hall is dedicated specifically to the petroglyphs of Gobustan and serves as an introduction to the second part of the exhibition. It would be a misconception to regard ancient art as entirely primitive. A more accurate approach would be to explore what was significant to its creators. The exhibits in this hall reveal the ancient peoples’ concept of beauty and their artistic imagination.
Nearby the museum, visitors can observe a historical reconstruction of Stone Age life.
The engravings were discovered across three sections of a rocky plateau, situated among neighboring mountains: Bueyukdash (Big Stone), Kichikdash (Small Stone), and Kyanizadag (the semi-circular largest mountain and mud volcano). The first petroglyphs in the reserve were uncovered in 1939 on Mount Bueyukdash, where the main tour route is now located.
Interestingly, the depictions of boats in Gobustan were studied by the renowned explorer Thor Heyerdahl.
Gobustan also marks the furthest point of Roman legions’ advance. At the foot of Mount Bueyukdash, there lies a stone slab inscribed in Latin, dating back to the 1st century AD, left by a Roman legion under Emperor Domitian, nicknamed “Fulminata” (Lightning). This inscription records the presence of the 12th Lightning Legion in the 1st century AD. In 75 AD, Domitian dispatched the legion to assist the allied kingdoms of Iberia and Albania in the Caucasus, making it the easternmost Roman legion known.
The inscription on the stone slab reads:
Imp Domitiano
Caesare avg
Germanic
L Julius
Maximus>
Leg XII Ful.
Translated, it means: “In the time of Emperor Domitian Caesar Augustus Germanicus, Lucius Julius Maximus, Centurion of the 12th Lightning Legion.” It is believed that this inscription references a detachment of the 12th Legion that was ultimately annihilated by the local inhabitants of Absheron.
Unique Heritage: Gobustan is a remarkable natural and historical park in Azerbaijan. Its attractions are numerous, encompassing caves, prehistoric human settlements, burial sites, and monuments from the Roman and medieval eras.
Petroglyphs: The petroglyphs are the symbol of Gobustan, with the earliest dating back to the Stone Age—these extraordinary rock carvings were created approximately 15,000 years ago!
Vast Collection: Gobustan houses one of the largest collections of rock engravings in the world, featuring over 6,000 petroglyphs. The engravings depict hunting scenes, ancient animals, ritual worship, and everyday life.
Cultural Significance: The most unique engraving can be found in the Seven Beauties cave—depictions of Amazonian women from Gobustan even grace the national currency of Azerbaijan.
Connections to the Vikings: Another enigmatic petroglyph illustrates a boat with passengers and a sun at the stern. Due to similar boat depictions, the famed scholar Thor Heyerdahl suggested connections between the ancient inhabitants of the Absheron Peninsula and the Scandinavian Vikings.
Musical Stones: Among the natural monuments of Gobustan are the ghaval-dash, remarkable “singing” stones. Their unique porous structure produces melodious sounds when struck.
Mud Volcanoes: Gobustan is also home to fascinating mud volcanoes. The most renowned craters, bubbling with mud, are located within the reserve.
The reserve is open daily, except on January 1st, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Visitors can explore the archaeological park independently or join guided tours.
There are several ways to reach Gobustan—via organized tours, rented cars, or public transport with transfers. If you opt for buses, note that transport from Baku only goes to the Gobustan settlement. From there, it’s about 6 kilometers to the archaeological park, which can only be reached by taxi. Traveling by car is convenient, or you can book a tour to visit multiple interesting sites in one day.
Organized excursions to Gobustan from Baku are an excellent choice for curious travelers. In a single day, you can witness a plethora of attractions: the expansive ancient park filled with remarkable rock engravings, the Fire Temple of Ateshgah, observe the eruptions of mud volcanoes, and visit the fiery mountain of Yanardag. During the warmer months, consider adding a relaxing beach day at the Caspian Sea to your cultural itinerary.