Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

On July 7, an international scientific conference titled “Urbanization Processes in the Caucasus and Surrounding Regions in Antiquity”, dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the birth of prominent archaeologist, corresponding member of ANAS, Professor Ilyas Babayev, took place at the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.

Organized by the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of ANAS, the event brought together not only Azerbaijani scientists but also scientists and specialists from the USA, Korea, Germany, and Türkiye, as well as renowned archaeologists, employees from ANAS, media representatives, and other guests.

The conference was opened by the President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli who spoke about the fruitful scientific activity of the distinguished scientist Ilyas Babayev and highlighted his exceptional contributions to the development of archaeology in Azerbaijan.

He mentioned that Professor Ilyas Babayev was one of the archaeologists who founded a scientific school in Azerbaijan, emphasizing that his main research was devoted to the history and archaeological problems of Caucasian Albania, an ancient Azerbaijani state. He noted that the research of Professor Ilyas Babayev remains relevant and important today.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli described Ilyas Babayev as a distinguished scientist who dedicated his meaningful life to science. His research presents Azerbaijan’s rich history and culture to the world. The scientists still benefit from his legacy today.

He also characterized Ilyas Babayev as a tireless researcher, a dedicated and hardworking scientist, and a patriotic intellectual. He noted that Ilyas Babayev never hid his great pride, joy, and honor when presenting archaeological monuments.

The President of ANAS underlined that in recent days he had visited the Alisha Fortress, located in the Alasha village of the Astara district, to closely familiarize himself with the activities of the Astara archaeological expedition of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology. He also recalled that he had personally reviewed the progress of the archaeological excavations at Beshbarmag Mountain, in Nakhchivan, in Naftalan, and in the Goranboy district, noting the scientific significance of the findings obtained during these excavations. He said that studying archaeology in conjunction with history, anthropology, ethnography, and other scientific fields would greatly contribute to the development of interdisciplinary relations.

He noted that in June of this year, for the first time, a meeting of the Presidium of ANAS was held at Karabakh University. During this meeting, the issue of ensuring the implementation of comprehensive scientific research in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur was discussed. The importance of conducting comprehensive research by the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology in the territories liberated from occupation, and in parallel organizing studies in other scientific fields, was highlighted, and relevant decisions were adopted in this regard.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli stated that in order to promote the results of the archaeological and anthropological research conducted by the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of ANAS in the territory of the country, as well as scientific innovations, an English-language journal titled “Azerbaijan Archaeology and Anthropology” has been established. Additionally, to inform the wider public about the results of excavation works carried out in various areas of the country, the “Archaeological Heritage” journal has also been established at the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of ANAS, and its editorial board has been approved.

At the end of his speech, the President of ANAS expressed his belief that the memory of Professor Ilyas Babayev would always live on in people’s hearts, and he wished success to the work of the international conference.

Then, Director of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, PhD in History, Associate Professor Farhad Guliyev delivered a speech. He stated that archaeologist Ilyas Babayev dedicated his research to the processes of urbanization in the Caucasus. He spoke about his great services in training young scientists.

Further, Chairperson of the SEBA Azerbaijan-Korea Cultural Exchange Association, PhD in Biology, Ruhangiz Heydarova delivered a speech, stating that the large-scale archaeological research carried out in Gabala district with the financial support of the organization she heads was led by Ilyas Babayev. She noted that since 2009, Korean specialists have also been involved in the expedition. During the period of cooperation with SEBA, Professor Ilyas Babayev visited Korea in 2010 and 2012, where he gave presentations on Azerbaijani archaeology and the excavations conducted in Gabala.

Ruhangiz Heydarova emphasized that in 2014, with the participation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, the Gabala Archaeological Center was inaugurated. She recalled that Ilyas Babayev, as the head of the Gabala archaeological expedition and a prominent archaeologist, informed the Head of State about the work carried out at the center. She added that the research conducted under Ilyas Babayev’s leadership laid the foundation for Azerbaijan-Korea cooperation.

Ruhangiz Heydarova spoke about the important works carried out by SEBA to study the rich history of Gabala, which was the capital of Caucasian Albania for approximately 800 years. She noted that during the joint archaeological research and excavations conducted in recent years by Azerbaijani and Korean specialists, new unknown pages of Gabala’s history have been explored.

Head of the Department of Islamic Period Archaeology of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, and Head of the Gabala archaeological expedition, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Gafar Jabiev, in his speech, emphasized that Ilyas Babayev conducted research in Gabala until the end of his life and was deeply devoted to this historic site. Professor Gafar Jabiev also underlined that the students of the archaeologist are continuing his path with great dedication.

Speaking at the conference, the scholar’s son, Chairman of the Trade Union Organization of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, Faig Babayev, expressed his gratitude to the organizers and participants for the attention and respect shown to his father’s memory.

At the end, a video dedicated to the life and scientific activities of corresponding member of ANAS Ilyas Babayev was presented.

The international conference continued its work with sectional meetings.

It should be noted that the event will conclude on July 8. The materials of the international conference will be published as articles.

Reyhan Majidli, Public Relations, Press and Information Department of the Presidium Administration of ANAS

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