Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

“Historical monuments are being subjected to artificial and crude interventions, and false inscriptions are being engraved on them. Genuine historical inscriptions were once stolen and taken to Yerevan, altered, and the original texts of the monuments were distorted. Even in recent times, these monuments have been deliberately damaged in an attempt to create a false impression that they allegedly belong to Armenian heritage. All this is yet another clear example of the groundless Armenian claims concerning the history of Caucasian Albania and historical falsification.”

These remarks were made by President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), Academician Isa Habibbeyli, at a scientific conference held at ANAS on the topic “Albanian Monuments in the Karabakh Territory of Azerbaijan: Historical Reality and Armenian Falsification.”

Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that attempts by Armenians to portray scribbled inscriptions on monuments as dating back to ancient times clearly demonstrate that they have embarked on a course of falsifying not only ancient history but also the recent past.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli stated that following the liberation of the Azerbaijani territories from occupation, archaeological expeditions had been organized by the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of ANAS and large-scale excavations had been launched in the area, while Azerbaijani scholars had begun to conduct in-depth and scientifically grounded research on Albanian monuments in accordance with the requirements of the period of independence:

“It is precisely the uncovering of these scientific truths that is causing serious concern on the Armenian side. For this reason, Armenian falsification has once again become active, and recently they have been putting forward artificial and groundless claims aimed at misleading the international community in an attempt to appropriate the ancient Albanian monuments located in the liberated territories of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur.”

The academician stated that the current situation places important and urgent tasks before Azerbaijani scholars. These tasks include responding promptly and decisively to every groundless claim put forward, as well as further deepening systematic and fundamental research on Caucasian Albania at the Academy.

The head of ANAS also stated that specialized departments studying the heritage of Caucasian Albania currently operate both at the Institute of History and Ethnology and at the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of ANAS. In addition, some time ago, online lessons on the ancient Albanian language were organized through the initiative of the Institute of History and Ethnology and with the organizational support of the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre. Such initiatives are of particular importance in terms of enabling new generations to gain an in-depth understanding of the true roots of their historical culture and preserving scientific truths.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that he firmly condemns the claims put forward by the Armenian side regarding the monuments of Caucasian Albania located in the territory of Azerbaijan and rejects these statements as unscientific and unsupported by historical evidence.

Translation by Gulhane Aghayeva, Department of Public Relations, Press, and Information, Presidium of ANAS.

© All rights reserved. When using these materials, reference to www.science.gov.az is required.