Findings at Tava-Tepe
At Tava-Tepe, in the western part of Azerbaijan, archaeologists have uncovered a ceremonial kitchen roughly 3,200 years old. Dating to the Late Bronze Age (around 1300–1000 BCE), the structure is exceptional: nothing comparable has been found anywhere else in the Caucasus. Over the generations, the building was repeatedly modified, yet older ovens, pottery, and food remnants were deliberately kept in place—strong evidence that people gathered here for communal events. The find gives archaeologists a rare window into how Late Bronze Age communities in the region organized large-scale gatherings.
The excavation is directed by Nicola Laneri of the University of Catania, working with the Academy of Sciences in Baku. Support comes from Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, with researchers and students from Catania, Baku, and Rome's Sapienza University participating in the project.
What the Finds Reveal
In the initial excavation phase, the team found a broad circular brazier, smaller installations for processing food, and various ceramic containers. Many bowls were stacked inside an ash-filled oven. The kitchen stands on a raised terrace of compacted earth overlooking the surrounding landscape, and it probably had a light roof made of wood and branches.
Initial analysis suggests that the people prepared a dish resembling millet porridge, possibly sweetened with honey, while animal remains point to beef as part of the diet. Around the ceremonial area, the archaeologists also found huts with crushed-limestone floors and wooden structural elements, offering a broader picture of daily life. Other artifacts include terracotta pintadera stamps decorated with geometric patterns.
Laneri believes the location may have been a recurring gathering spot for different communities. In a separate excavation project, a Bronze Age necropolis in Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan, yielded burials of women accompanied by weapons and jewelry—evidence of varied cultural customs in the wider region. Those women lived over 4,000 years ago, and their grave goods included arrowheads, bronze daggers, and maces.
The Tava-Tepe ceremonial kitchen adds an important dimension to our understanding of Late Bronze Age social structures and cultural practices in the Caucasus. It hints at complex rituals and interactions among different groups, suggesting advanced social organization and exchange. Since fieldwork is still underway, future studies could offer even deeper insight into the traditions and everyday life of the ancient peoples who inhabited this area.
This remarkable discovery at Tava-Tepe is part of a broader trend of uncovering ancient sites in the region. For instance, a recent excavation has revealed a military encampment from the Hellenistic period in Uzbekistan, shedding light on the diverse historical narratives that shaped Central Asia. Such findings not only enhance our understanding of communal activities but also illustrate the interconnectedness of ancient cultures across borders.