The history of Azerbaijan is intrinsically related to the movement of nomadic tribes in the region. Despite being sheltered to the north by the Caucasus Mountains, the country has been successively inhabited on numerous occasions throughout its history by nomadic tribes such as the Scythians, Bulgars, Huns, Turks, and finally the Mongols. These ancient and medieval inhabitants of Azerbaijan have left distinctive traces, both in the archaeological record of artefacts and settlements across the country, and in the culture and the Turkic language of Azerbaijan today.