Ancient bell tower found in Balakan

Monument of the 5th-9th centuries has been discovered in Balakan region, located in the foothills of the Greater Caucasus.

With a total length of 12 meters and 70 centimeters, ancient bell tower was found during the studies of Tuli Tomb`s eastern walls.

A monument has been discovered in Tulu village by ANAS Archaeological expedition on the Christian Monuments of the Caucasian Albania, Trend reported.

Natig Alishov, a leading scientific worker at the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography, said the researches were first carried on the outer walls of the monument.

The internal studies will start as soon as external architectural features are identified.

The bell tower's floor consists of square-shaped brick, 20x20 meters in size and 4-5 cm in length.

Ceramic items are rarely seen here since the monument is considered sacred. "There was a fire in the monument followed by the process of sedimentation. Later, about 15 cultural layers appeared here. This cultural layer reflects the processes of deposition and disintegration in the upper layer. The upper layer is about 50 cm in size. Other layers seem to have gradually dissipated. There were traces of fire and ash," said Alishov.

The archeologist thinks that researches in the monument are important for the development of archeology in country, presence of religious diversity in the region, and the transfer of the monument to future generations.