Kultepe-2

For other uses, see Kültepe (disambiguation).

Kultepe-2

Shown within Azerbaijan
Location	Uzunoba, Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan
Region	Babek
Coordinates	39°16′15″N 45°27′17″E
Type	Settlement
Area	3 Ha
History
Material	brick, stone, clay
Founded	Approximately 3500-2400 BC
Periods	Bronze Age

Kultepe-2 (also known as 'II Kultepe') is an ancient settlement in Nakhchivan which was the center of one of the first city-states in Azerbaijan. The city was founded 3,500 years ago.

This triangle shaped residence, is located in the area where Chehrichay (Chehri river) and Nakhchivanchay (Nakhchivan river) connects. The first layer of 7-10 m. thickness dates back to the Early Bronze Age. The remains of circular shaped buildings built of bricks were discovered during the research. The results of the radiocarbon (C 14) analysis show the age of 3500–2400 years.

The thickness of the second layer of this monument is more than 4 meters. Dating to the II millennium, it consists of four construction stages, detailing the lives of Kultepe residents. Protective walls were built around the place of residence. Along with the remains of residential buildings, economic and industrial buildings were also revealed. Large-scale painted containers, stone, bone and bronze tools, ornaments, weapons were also found.

Residents of Kultepe used sophisticated construction technique using bricks and stones to construct the defense fortress and the residential and farm buildings. The compound-built defense fortress was further strengthened with quadrangular blocks.

Pottery

In Kultepe-2, both monochrome and polychrome clay pots were used. They are different in shape. The patterns on clay pots are rich. In addition to geometric patterns, there are also figurative designs.

Quadrangular building

The ruins of a quadrangular building were uncovered in section III of the site. The floors of buildings were constructed mainly from raw bricks and soil and stone.

Studies confirm that the Kultepe-2 was one of the urban-type settlements of the Middle Bronze Age. Kultepe-2 covers 3 ha of living space. The residence is surrounded by massive fortress walls. The castle wall with a width of 2 m is enclosed on a mud-mounted stonework. Large square bricks were used in the construction of the wall (32x32x11 cm; 38x38x12 cm; 40x40x12 cm; 44x44x12 cm).

At some point, the castle wall was destroyed. But after a while it is restored, but the area is significantly reduced. In the eastern and southern part of the tower, a new one is being built instead of an old wall.

Residential and commercial buildings were made of mud hardened stones. Some houses have a few rooms. Big fire destroyed buildings; an old man's bones were found in the remains of fire.

During the Middle Bronze Age, four construction layers and more than 4 m cultural layers in Kültepe are indicated. There are plenty of different materials from the place of residence.

The pottery district with kilns, featuring stone flooring was discovered. Various types of simple and painted dishes, stone tools such as grinding stone, teeth, grain residues, metal goods, and clay metal moulds were found. Although the embroidery features mostly geometric shapes, human, bird and animal images are also found.