Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

A discussion was held at the next meeting of the Presidium of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) on the topic “Archaeological Study of Albanian Monuments in Karabakh: Results and Tasks.”

Speaking on the issue, President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli, noted that following the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, new opportunities had emerged for scientific research in the liberated territories, including the study of the monuments of Caucasian Albania.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli stated that, following the recent visit by representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Azerbaijan to Gandzasar Monastery in Karabakh, ANAS staff had issued a statement based on scientific facts in response to the deliberate uproar artificially created by Armenians. At the same time, he noted that a scientific conference entitled “Alban Monuments in the Karabakh Region of Azerbaijan: Historical Reality and Armenian Falsifications” had been held at the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, where a number of important reports had been delivered.

Touching upon the importance of studying the history and cultural heritage of Caucasian Albania, Academician Isa Habibbeyli stated that Corresponding Member of ANAS Farida Mammadova had conducted research in this field for many years and produced important scientific results, adding that the results and factual materials of these studies could not be denied.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli emphasized that a new generation of researchers specializing in Caucasian Albania had emerged in Azerbaijan in recent years and highly appreciated the research conducted in this field at the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology and the Institute of History and Ethnology of ANAS. He noted that specialized departments related to Caucasian Albania currently operate at these institutes, and that the history of Caucasian Albania is studied by researchers of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology on the basis of archaeological evidence and by specialists of the Institute of History and Ethnology on the basis of written sources.

Noting that a new stage of research on Caucasian Albania had begun at the Academy, the head of ANAS stated that scientific expeditions would also be organized for employees of the Institute of History and Ethnology in order to study the Albanian monuments located in the territory of Karabakh, photograph them, and compile an inventory of them.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli also emphasized the need to prepare an introductory book entitled “Caucasian Albania” at the “Elm” Publishing House in 2027, based on the works of Farida Mammadova and other scholars. He noted that the publication should include key information about the historical stages of development, rulers, culture, and monuments of Caucasian Albania, and that the book should be published in Azerbaijani and English and introduced to the world.

At the end of his speech, the head of ANAS emphasized the importance of preparing a comprehensive action plan for the study and promotion of the history of Caucasian Albania.

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

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