About a fragment of the incense-burner of the Late Bronze – the Early Iron Ages from the southeastern Azerbaijan

Abstract

The article deals with an ancient ceramic specimen – a fragment of an incense-burner body discovered during ar-chaeological excavations at the Vilashchai settlement (Yardimly district, Azerbaijan Republic) in July 2025. The Vilashchai settlement mainly dates back to the Early Iron Age, although archaeological materials from the Late Bronze Age were also found there. The fragment of the incense-burner body in question was discovered in square 1, at a depth of approximately 50 cm. Preserved dimensions: length: 7-7.4 cm; height: 4-4.5 cm; diameter of the holes: 0.7-0.8 cm. The artifact is brown in color, well-fired, and has traces of soot inside. The clay is pure and the pottery was handmade. Before firing, circular holes were made with a metal or bone awl. This type of incense-burner was widespread in the South Caspian region – in archaeological sites in northeastern Iran (Tepe Hissar, Shah Tepe, Tureng Tepe, Gohar Tappe and Tappe Narges) and one example was found in the Madau-depe settlement in southwestern Turkmenistan. These vessels were widespread from the late Bronze Age to the early Iron Age. The Vilashchai incense burner fragment bears similarities to artifacts found at Gohar Tappe and Shah Tepe. The Vilashchai artifact was likely imported from northeastern Iran. Given the paucity of archaeological sites from this period in the region, it is possible that similar objects exist in southeast of Azerbaijan, and that vessels of this type can be discovered in the future.