Alikomektepe

Alikomektepe, located in the Jalilabad District of Azerbaijan, is an ancient settlement dating back to the Chalcolithic period, around 5000 BCE. Spanning more than one hectare, this site reveals a complex cultural layer 5.1 meters thick, with six distinct construction phases. The lower levels of the site are associated with the Shulaveri–Shomu culture, while later levels demonstrate the development of the Alikomek–Kultepe culture. The settlement features square-shaped houses and a notable round-shaped ritual building, possibly used for worship, adorned with geometric ocher decorations. Archaeological findings include domesticated horse bones, indicating early horse domestication in the region, and an array of pottery, with many items locally produced. Alikomektepe's artifacts share similarities with those from northwestern Iran and the Ubaid period, highlighting its significance in understanding the region's prehistoric cultures.