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EXPEDITIONS
Qabala Archaeological Expedition

Qebele played significant role in economic, political and cultural life of the country from 4th century B.C., and which name is recalled in written sources since A.D. 1st century was the first capital city of Albania. 

 

 

 

 

City of Qebele consists of three main parts known as Qala, Selbir and Chaqqali. It was proved that, intensive urban life existed in Chaqqali (50 hectare space) which is situated amongst Qarachay and Qochalan Rivers as a result of the explorations from 4th century B.C. till late 1st century A.D. It was defined that a rich cultural layer of several meter thickness belonged to 1st-10th centuries existed in Selbir part of the city (about 13-hectare space) and 1st-17th century in Qala (about 12-hecrate space). At least 4 expeditions worked every year in Qebele in 70-80s of last century. Since 1990 activity of that Expedition stopped and only after 18-year interval, i.e. 2008 Qebele Archaeological Expedition of two groups of NASA Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography launched explorations in antique and medieval areas of the city again with support of Azerbaijan-Korean Cultural Exchange Association (SEBA). Qebele Expedition functions since 2009 with international content. In initiative of SEBA Korean archaeologists have been carrying out successful explorative work in Selbir for 3 years. A part of the ancient fortress walls revealed in the area of Selbir was covered up in initiative and organization of SEBA and urgent conservation work implemented inside that. Presently a museum exhibition and archaeological base are constructed in Qebele History and Culture Reserve.
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