THE ROLE OF EMIL RESLER IN THE STUDY OF KARABAKH ARCHEOLOGY

This article is devoted to the contribution of Emil Roesler, a German archaeologist, to the study of the archaeological sites of Nagorno-Karabakh. Roesler was one of the first researchers who began systematic excavations in this region at the end of the 19th century. His works played a key role in understanding the ancient civilizations that existed in the territory of Karabakh and its surroundings, and contributed to an in-depth study of cultural and historical ties between the South Caucasus and other regions of Eurasia. The article analyzes the results of the excavations conducted by Roesler, among which special attention is paid to the mounds dating back to the Bronze Age. These findings confirm the existence of close cultural and ethnic ties between local peoples and the broader Eurasian steppe civilizations. Roesler discovered many burial mounds and burial structures that contained objects made of precious metals, testifying to the high level of craft of the ancient peoples of this region. Among his significant discoveries are mounds demonstrating the peculiarities of the Northern (Scythian) culture, which indicates complex migration processes and cultural exchange in ancient times. The article also highlights the problem of illegal export of archaeological artifacts during the Armenian occupation and topical issues of the return of historical values. It is particularly noted that the works of Roesler and his followers laid the foundation for further research into the archaeology of Karabakh, despite the fact that his methodology differed significantly from modern standards. Nevertheless, his work remains an important source of information for subsequent generations of archaeologists.