French archaeologists discover ancient burial mound in Azerbaijan

"The ongoing studies are important to accurately determine the specific period of historical monuments of the ancient settlement belonging to Eneolithic (Copper-Stone Age) era, said staff member of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan Farhad Guliyev.

"Today, a number of scientific theories of the Soviet time are reviewed, and these studies show that the settlements, proving the settled way of life in Azerbaijan, belong to a more ancient period", he added.

As a result of excavations carried out in villages located in an ancient settlement in the Ashaghyayibli village of Tovuz, relating to the 5 millennium BC, were found, reflecting the ruins of establishments, fire places made of bone, objects, clay utensils, stone and iron implements.

Archaeologists of the international French-Azerbaijani Expeditionary Group also found an ancient burial mound in an ancient village named Mentesh and and covering 160 m2. More than 30 human skeletons and their household items were found during the archaeological digs in the burial mound.

In turn, Bertil Lionet, head of the French archaeological team, consisting of five persons, stated that the found material is of historical value.

"We are very interested in ethnicity of people living here and their employment as they made and used the iron wares. Excavations also offer opportunities to explore the flora and fauna of that time", said Boris Lionet.

The international French-Azerbaijani expedition team will continue the excavation until 2010.