Sirab

Sirab (also, Siab and Surab) is a village and municipality in the Babek District of Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan. It is located 14 km in the north-east from the district center, on the foothill area. Its population is busy with grain-growing, vegetable-growing, beekeeping and animal husbandry. There are secondary school, two library, culture house, mosque and a medical center in the village. It has a population of 2,730. The Sirab mineral water deposit is near the village.^[1]

Etymology

In the folk etymology, the toponym means "main water" (Sərab) or "mysterious water" (Sirab). According to the researchers, the name made out of a combination from the Persian words of Sir (rich, saturated) and Ab (water) and means "abundant water, water-saturated". In 1979, near the village was opened for the use, the Sirab Water Reservoir.^[2]

Historical and archaeological monuments

Dashgala Cave

Dashgala Cave - the ancient karst cave in the Sarıdağ Mountain, in the north-west of the Sirab village of Babek rayon. It is also called Sirab cave among the local population. It is believed that the cave is the oldest human settlement.^[1]

Sirab Necropolis

Sirab Necropolis - the archaeological monument of the