THE GLASS ARTEFACTS DISCOVERED IN THE MEDIEVAL SETTLEMENT OF HAJIALILI III

Abstract

The residential place Hajialili III is located about 500-600 m south-west from the village of Hajialili in Samukh region, on the left side of the Samukh-Hajialili highway. The residential place is surrounded by sowing areas. Archaeological excavations were carried out in the settlement in 2005 and April 2015. Glass artefacts are largely represented by bracelets of high quality. Glass vessels are few in number. Bracelets were frequently found in the cultural layer as they were a very popular item of jewelers widely used in ancient times. Depending on the shape of their cross sections they are divided into various groups and types. In terms of quantity “twisted rope” glass bracelets prevail. They are made of black, green, deep brown, dark blue or yellow glass. Black glass bracelets makes up 50% of this type. “Twisted rope” bracelets include also those incrusted with glass of a different color. For instance, a fragment of a bracelet made of dark blue glass is encrusted with red glass. The noteworthy aspect is that the glass artefacts are made of high quality untampered glass. Another aspect worthy of special consideration is that glass bracelets predominate among the jeweler found at Hajialili III Settlement, while glass rings and beads were sparse. Based on the typological method and analysis of archaeological goods the settlement Hajialili III was dated to the IX-XI centuries. In the mentioned period, there had been a village-type settlement there.