Glass decorative items found in Barda

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UDC 902

Glass decorative items found in Barda

Asadova A.,

doctorate of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of ANAS (Azerbaijan), rus_rahimli@yahoo.com

During archeological excavations in Barda large quantities of glass products have been discovered, and their research suggests an existence of glassware production in this ancient city of Azerbaijan. Among these things the decorative glassware items, especially bracelets, rings and beads comprise the majority. The glass beadsfound in Barda were similar to those beads discovered in Kiev. The item and mold found among the archaeological monument? in Kiev, with the name of Barda master (jeweller) and place) confirms extensive economic and trade relations of Barda with the surrounding cities. It is known that Barda was the capital of Albania (Azerbaijan) in the Middle Ages (V--X centuries) and located at the center ofhighways connecting East--Westroutes.

Keywords: Azerbaijan, Barda, art, archeology, glass, rings, ornaments.

АсадоваА., докторант, Інститут археологіїта етнографіїНАНА (Азербайджан), rus_rahimli@yahoo.com

Скляні декоративні вироби, знайдені в Барді

Під час археологічних розкопок у Барді було виявлено велику кількість виробів зі скла, і їх дослідження припускають існування виробництва скляного посуду в цьому стародавньому місті Азербайджану. Серед них елементи декоративного посуду, особливо браслети, кільця і намистини, складають більшість. Скляні намистинки, знайдені в Барді, були схожі на ті намиста, які були виявлені в Києві. Предмет і цвіль, знайдені серед археологічних пам'яток в Києві, з ім'ям майстра Барди (ювеліра) і місця) підтверджують великі економічні і торговельні відносини Барди з оточуючими містами. Відомо, що Барда був столицею Албанії (Азербайджан) в середні віки (V--X cm.) І розташований в центрі автомагістралей, що сполучають маршрути Схід--Захід.

Ключові слова: Азербайджан, Барда, мистецтво, археологія, скло, кільця, прикраси.

During the archeological excavations in Barda, which was the capital of Albania (Azerbaijan) in the Middle Ages (V-X centuries), large quantities of glass items were discovered. The study of this archeological glass material allows studying the history of the formation and development of glassware production in this ancient city of Azerbaijan. It is a glass decorative items that are of great interest among glassware.

During the archeological excavations conducted in Barda, glass decorations from the antique period to the late Middle Ages were discovered in all cultural strata - bracelets, rings and beads [1]. Study of those glass samples suggests that the production of glass decorations in Barda began in ancient times [2]. Glass decorations discovered during archaeological excavations at and around the city of Barda, including the «Shortepe» Monument, were dated to ancient and early medieval ages (from the 3rd century BC to the 7th century AD) with other archaeological evidence [3]. The study of these glassware products confirms the fact that decorative items made of different types and sort of glass (bracelets, rings and beads) are one of the main symbols of urban life [4]. The extensive development of craft of glass decorations in Barda is confirmed by numerous material remains of that period discovered from archaeological monuments. This is clearly visible in the objects discovered during archaeological excavations. Large quantities of glass decorations discovered in Barda recently allow to determine the place and role of the glass in the economic life of the urban population [5].

The bracelets, which are of great interest among glass decorations found in Barda's discoveries, are very different in shape and color. Quantitative analysis of glass bracelets shows that they are one of the most common types of decorative items. It was used not only by the youth, but also by the elders, too. Similarities of Barda glass bracelets have been also found in Azerbaijani cities such as Ganja, Shamakhi, Shabran, Nakhchivan, Baku and in ancient and medieval cities of neighboring countries. Glass bracelets found in Barda differ according to shape, size, color and other components. This is due to the fact that there were several craftsmen entities in Barda with its own special style. Speaking about the production technology of glass bracelets, we can say that there was no specialization between the masters for the production of glass bracelets (for making smooth-circular, costiform, twisted, etc. forms). It seems to us that the color and shape of the glass bracelets depended on the customer. They basically ordered black colored bracelets. Their shape depended on the purpose of producing those grass bracelets. If the purpose of this item was decoration, then a master used to bring glass stick to the necessary form. If it were related to any symbolic meaning, then color had played a major role here. While watching the chronology of the different types of Barda bracelets, it turns out that starting from the first Middle Ages, three types of glass bracelets have been spread: the body is circular, smooth-flat and twisted. The remaining bracelets have emerged in the middle ages, but not widely spread. Rings also occupy special place among Barda glass decorations. Various sized and colored glass rings were a favorite decorative item. However, glass rings are not widespread compared to other types of glass decorations (beads and bracelets). Whereas a total of 31 glass rings were found during archaeological excavations conducted in Beylagan, Baku, Ganja, Nakhchivan, Shamakhi, Gabala, Shabran, only 3 glass rings were found in Barda. The Barda glass rings, which are few in number, do not allow them to be characterized technologically. These are generally the same, i.e. made of transparent and colorless glass. These rings were found from the IX-XII century's stratum. The diameter of one of them is 11 mm. Therefore, we think that it had been used not as a ring, but as other decorative item. Glass rings with normal dimensions (18-22 mm) had also been discovered from Barda excavations [6].

One of the most widespread types of decorative items found in Barda is the beads. They bear completely different information from the morphological and technological aspects. Up to now, more than 300 glass beads have been discovered from Barda excavations. It is possible to divide them morphologically into several groups. This glass beads have round, rhombic, tubular, helical, costiform and conical forms. Two small glass beads found in VIII-XI century's stratum are different from others due to a number of signs. These beads are made of cone-shaped dark gray color semitransparent glass. These decorative items belonging to the amulet (eye-shaped bead) group are usually decorated with one-colored eye picture. It is worth noting that one sample, found in the Middle Ages stratum, is more interesting when speaking about the amulet (eye-shaped bead). This is the only example found in Barda. It is spherical form and made oflight gray glass. All eye-shaped glass beads are relatively dark-blue.

3 costiform glass beads were found in Barda, which differ sharply from the shape. This bead is made of transparent red color quality glass. Other glass beads are costiform, circular, ball-shaped and multi-sided. They are made of high quality blue glass in mold. Similar beads have been found from other archaeological monuments of Azerbaijan (VIII-IX centuries). Such glassware beads are mainly distinguished by their size and color. Its other parameters, i.e. form and production methods are the same. Because of its shape, the costiform glass beads are very interesting. They were trapeze-form and made by molding. The widespread use of these beads refers to the period of the initial feudalism. InAzerbaijan, such glassware beads were first discovered in Mingechevir from the 3rd settlement of the III-VIII centuries. It should be noted that such glassware beads are not widely spread in subsequent years. In scientific literature, this kind of glassware beads are called differently.

For example, V. Diopik called them «multilateral» beads in his article on the classification of South-Eastern European beads of VI-IX century [7].

It should be noted that Barda glass beads have different properties for its shape and even the method of production. First, Barda glass beads are rounded and produced in gray- transparent colors. Secondly, their formation has different technical methods. It seems to us that the master carefully pressed the glass with a stick made of some material and gave it an interesting form. 2 bow-shaped glass beads made of blue colored semi-transparent glass have found from Barda archeological excavations, which have many similarities with discoveries found in the Kiev monuments and belong to the X-XI centuries [8]. It should be noted here that finding of such imported beads in Barda, as well as item and the mold found in the archaeological monument of the city of Kiev, with the name and place of the Barda master (jeweler) confirms Barda's extensive economic and trade relations with the city of Kiev [9, p. 186]. It is known that Barda, the capital of Albania (Azerbaijan) in the Middle Ages (V-X centuries), was located in the center of highways connecting East-West routes [10].

Thus, by summarizing the picture of glass decorative items found in Barda, we come to a general conclusion: the first is that most of the glass decorative items found in Barda are products of locally made beads. Secondly, imported glass decorations have been discovered in Barda, which has resulted in a quantitative increase in those products. Thirdly, it is possible to state on the basis of glass decorations that after the 9th century Barda had close relations not only with the cities of Caucasus, but also with the cities of the West and East.

References

1. GeushevR. B. Shabran. - Baku: Elm, 1985. - 15 pp.; Nuriev A. B. Medieval town of Barda. From the PMCA. - Baku: Elm, 1986. - 26 p.; Gadzhiev G. A. Glassware of Shabran (IX - XII centuries). Abstract of Candidate ofHistorical Sciences. - Baku, 1989.

2. Nuriyev A. B. Manufacture of glass products in Caucasian Albania. - Baku: Elm, 1981; Hajiev G. A. Barda city: geographical, political and cultural history. - Baku: UniPrint, 2008. - 250 p.

3. Нуриев А. Б. Medieval town of Barda. From the PMCA. - Baku: Elm, 1986. - 26 pp.; Hajiyev G. A. History of Barda city (III century ВС - XVIII century BC) . - Baku: «Т» Publishing and Printing Center, 2000. - 320 p.

4. Mammadov A. M. Recent archaeological excavations in Barda П Archaeologicaljournal. - 2010. - №3. - P.28-37; Hajiyev G. A. Barda: geographical, political and cultural history. - Baku: UniPrint, 2008. - 250 p.

5. Нуриев А. Б. From the history of craft production of Caucasian Albania. From the PMCA. - Baku: Elm, 1986. - 55 p.

6. Hajiyev G. A. History of Barda city (III century ВС - XVIII century BC). - Baku: «Т» Publishing and Printing Center, 2000. - 320 s.

7. Diopik V. P. Classification of the beads of South-Eastern Europe (IV-IX). CA №3. - 1961. - 217 p.

8. Shapova Y. L. Glass ofKievan Rus. - Moscow: MSU Publishing House, 1972. - 177 p.

9. Hajiyev G. A. History of Barda city (III century ВС - XVIII century BC). - Baku: «Т» Publishing and Printing Center, 2000. - 320 p.

10. Ibn Khordadbeh. Китаб ал-масалик ва-л мамалик (Book of ways and countries). Translated N. M. Velikhanov. - Baku: Elm, 1986. - 428 p.

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