The Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape in the Republic of Azerbaijan is one of the most remarkable archaeological and cultural sites in the Caspian region.
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, it is renowned for more than 6,000 petroglyphs (rock engravings) that document around 40,000 years of human presence, artistic expression, and adaptation to changing environments. The site forms the core of the Gobustan State Historical and Cultural Reserve in the semi‑desert zone south of the Absheron Peninsula in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Gobustan’s rocky plateaus and hills – including Boyukdash, Kichikdash, and Jinghirdagh mountains – shelter thousands of engravings depicting human figures, hunting and dancing scenes, boats with oarsmen, and a rich variety of animals such as goats, bulls, deer, horses, and birds. These images, carved into limestone surfaces over millennia, provide a visual archive of prehistoric communities, their rituals, social organization, and relationship with nature. Archaeological excavations have also revealed caves, ancient settlements, burial sites, tools, weapons, jewelry, and plant and animal remains that help researchers reconstruct daily life from the Upper Paleolithic through the Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, and into the Middle Ages.
The outstanding universal value of Gobustan lies in the density, diversity, and chronological depth of its rock art and archaeological record, which together form an exceptional testimony to human creativity and continuity in the South Caucasus. The engravings show how local communities adapted to changing climatic conditions, from wetter and greener landscapes in early periods to the more arid environment visible today in this part of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Modern conservation efforts by Azerbaijani cultural authorities have created a museum and visitor facilities that interpret the site through exhibitions, educational programs, and international cooperation, including recognition by European museum awards. As a symbol of the deep cultural roots of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Gobustan strengthens intercultural dialogue, academic exchange, and cultural diplomacy among ECO member states and beyond.