Qalagah
Encyclopedia
Qalagah is a village and municipality in the Ismailli Rayon of Azerbaijan
, situated 28 km to the south-west from the rayon centre, on the forepart of Ajinohur mountain. It has a population of 991.
A 1st or 2nd century-related settlement with an area of ca. 30 ha
and a cemetery are near Qalagah. In 1899
a silver plate (24 cm in diameter) was also accidentally found during excavations near the village. The plate depicts a mounted Nereid, surrounded by tritons
and cupid
s. Based on its technique and artistic characteristics, the plate is a 2nd or 3rd century example of Roman
toreutics
. The plate is supposed to be either a trade article of the Caucasian Albania
rulers or a gift from the Roman emperor
s. The artifact was sent to the Imperial Archaeological Commission, then to the Hermitage Museum
.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
, situated 28 km to the south-west from the rayon centre, on the forepart of Ajinohur mountain. It has a population of 991.
A 1st or 2nd century-related settlement with an area of ca. 30 ha
Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
and a cemetery are near Qalagah. In 1899
1899 in archaeology
The year 1899 in archaeology involved some significant excavations.-Excavations:* Excavations of Babylon by Deutsche Orient-Gesellschaft directed by Robert Koldewey begin.-Finds:...
a silver plate (24 cm in diameter) was also accidentally found during excavations near the village. The plate depicts a mounted Nereid, surrounded by tritons
Triton (mythology)
Triton is a mythological Greek god, the messenger of the big sea. He is the son of Poseidon, god of the sea, and Amphitrite, goddess of the sea, whose herald he is...
and cupid
Cupid
In Roman mythology, Cupid is the god of desire, affection and erotic love. He is the son of the goddess Venus and the god Mars. His Greek counterpart is Eros...
s. Based on its technique and artistic characteristics, the plate is a 2nd or 3rd century example of Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
toreutics
Toreutics
Toreutics is a term, relatively rare in English, for artistic metalworking, by hammering gold or silver , engraving, Repoussé and chasing to form minute detailed reliefs or small engraved patterns. Toreutics can include metal-engraving - forward-pressure linear metal removal with a...
. The plate is supposed to be either a trade article of the Caucasian Albania
Caucasian Albania
Albania is a name for the historical region of the eastern Caucasus, that existed on the territory of present-day republic of...
rulers or a gift from the Roman emperor
Roman Emperor
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...
s. The artifact was sent to the Imperial Archaeological Commission, then to the Hermitage Museum
Hermitage Museum
The State Hermitage is a museum of art and culture in Saint Petersburg, Russia. One of the largest and oldest museums of the world, it was founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great and has been opened to the public since 1852. Its collections, of which only a small part is on permanent display,...
.