THE SEMANTIC MAINTENANCE OF THE IMAGE OF ANIMALS ON ROCK DRAWINGS GEMIKAYA

Abstract

Among rock drawings Gemikaya drawings of a goat, bird, snake, dog, bull and others cattle breading prevail. Schematically or realistic drawings are represented by various equipment, and usually smithery. Drawings of the first group are represented schematically. They remind butterfly-shaped drawings of painted vessels of Middle Bronze Age. Drawings of the second group are represented is very realistic. Drawings of goats meet especially much. The goats represented on Gemikaya to some extent are similar images of Kobustan. It is undoubted that they represented a goat like bezoar. Prevalence of drawings of animals is shown that the animal husbandry was the main of occupations of ancient settlers. On Gemikaya, drawings of a snake meet on the single, couple and in composition. Researches show that among ancient settlers of Nakhchivan belief of a snake was widespread. Therefore a snake I was one of totems of Nakhchivan tribes. Traces of this belief meets also on household objects, including pottery and jewelry. Images of snakes in ancient Elam and Egypt was considered as a fertility symbol. In folklore samples of Nakhchivan and now there are numerous materials reflecting beliefs to a dragon. In the south Gemikaya, among the population of the valley Gilanchay the mythological legends connected with Ilandag have remained. Researchers identify a legend of Ilandag with Sumer legends. Sumer Elandag is identified with Ilandag. Images of dogs Gemikaya are also widespread belief the farmer - the cattle breeding tribes of Nakhchivan. Now the dog is estimated as the close and transferred friend of the person. The skull of the person is used as a preservative from an evil eye. Images Gemikaya, a grave of a dog on a sanctuary Askhabi-Kef and burials of a dog on the Neolitic settlement shows to Kultepe I that belief has ancient roots. Among rock drawings also the scenes connected with magic are widespread. At the same time, the special attention is drawn by closing a company of a wolf. The purpose of this magic to protect pets from wild animals including from a wolf. Researches telling that on rock drawings Gemikaya ideological representations of ancient people are displayed.