Salt deposit in Azerbaijan is the oldest in the world

Results of research conducted by archaeologists of the National Research Center of France in cooperation with Azerbaijani counterparts in Duzdag in basin of the Araz River, which is recognized as the oldest salt deposit in the world, have been announced. Salt production here began 5 thousand years ago while systematic development of the field began 3,500 years ago.

According to the website of National Research Center of France, excavations yielded data on processing technology of salt in ancient times. Prior to that, with the support of French archaeologist Catherine Marot, research was conducted in Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkey for many years, but materials found in Duzdag are even more valuable.

Duzdag is located on the route of the Great Silk Way. In 2008, French archaeologist Catherine Marot and Azerbaijani scientist Vali Bakhshaliev began excavations in Duzdag. They found a set of tools and pottery with the oldest finding being 4500 years old. The samples found here belong to the Kura-Araz archaeological culture. The work is funded by the French Foreign Ministry, and organizational issues are dealt with by the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.

“This archaeological finding is undoubtedly the highest achievement of science in Azerbaijan," Azerbaijani scientist Bakhshaliyev said.

Bakhshaliev said that all valuable items found during excavation have been transferred to the Museum of History of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.


/Vesti.az/