EPIGRAPHIC MONUMENTS OF THE CITY BAKU SETTLEMENT MASHTAGI

The archaeological monuments of Mashtaga dating from the 9th to the 19th centuries, particularly epigraphic monuments and tombstones, are of special interest. Many of these artifacts bear inscriptions in Arabic script, which provide significant historical information. Mashtaga is considered one of the key architectural centers of Absheron. The abundance of mosques, bath complexes, fortification structures, residential and public buildings strongly supports this view. It is no coincidence that the renowned architectural historian S.S. Fatullayev noted that after the city of Baku, Mashtaga was ranked second place in terms of architectural richness, especially highlighting its numerous mosques, bathhouses, and public buildings dating back to the medieval period. It should be noted that these buildings are not only architectural monuments. They also reflect the socio-economic life, artistic expressions, trade relations, and political environment of the region during various historical periods. Therefore, the inscriptions on these monuments possess exceptional significance for historical research.