TAMGAS OF CAUCASIAN ALBANIA: SYMBOLISM OF TURKIC PEOPLES IN THE CONTEXT OF THE HERITAGE OF THE TURAN ETHNOCULTURAL SPACE

Caucasian Albania was an ancient polyethnic state that existed on the historical territory of Azerbaijan from the 4th–3rd centuries BCE to the 8th century CE. According to Strabo, the population of this state consisted of 24 Turkic, Caucasian, and Iranian-speaking tribes. The territory of Albania spanned a wide geographical area, including present-day Azerbaijan, modern Armenia, as well as parts of Georgia and southern Dagestan. Ancient toponyms of Azerbaijan have preserved the names of ancient Turkic peoples and tribes to this day: Saka, Savirs, Bulgars, Kazakhs, Huns, Alpan, Gargar, Terter, Pechenegs, Kangars, Choly, Saly, and many others. Furthermore, the study of cultural heritage, including sacred symbols such as tamgas found on cultic buildings, fortress walls, household items, weapons, tombstones, and rock carvings, points not only to the dominant role of the Turkic peoples in Caucasian Albania but also to their historical connections with the Turkic peoples of the North Caucasus and Central Asia.