The organization and formation of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology was the result of a long historical process. The foundation of the organization of archaeological research was the creation of the
Azerbaijan Research and Research Society, organized in 1923.The society played an important role in directing archaeological and ethnographic research,among other fields. The next stage was continued in 1924 with the establishment of the Azerbaijan Archaeological Commitee.The Archaeological Committee performed intensive activity related to the organization of expeditions,registration of monuments and preliminary research.In 1929,archaeologists and ethnographers working within the Azerbaijan Scientific Research Institute expanded the scope of research even more.
The Material- Cultural Department within the Azerbaijan Department of the Transcaucasian Branch of the USSR EA,which was established in 1932,continued extensive scientific research and played the coordinating role of further work as a separate unit. In 1935,EA ZF of the USSR became the Azerbaijan branch and the activity of the Material-Cultural Departament entered a new stage.In 1945,the independent Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan SSR was established on the basis of the Branch,organizational issues in Archaeology and Ethnography,like all scientific fields,were solved more promptly.It was during that period that the famous Mingachevir archaeological-ethnographic research became scaly.
The Institute of History,one of the leading divisions of the Academy,began to operate independently and the Departament of Material and Culture was included in its structure.
Later,separate Archaeological and Ethnographic departments were organized within the Institute.In the 60s of the 20 th century,archaeologists were established in several department- ”Archaeology of the Ancient Period” and Archaeologyof the Middle Ages”, “Historical Ethnography”and “Archaeology of the Modern Period”.
In 1974,the Departament of Archaeology and Ethnogrphy,which includes a number of departaments,was established under the Institute of History.
In 1993,an independent Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography was established at the base of the Archaeology and Ethnography sector by special order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
In 2021,the Institute began to be called the Institute of Archaeology,Ethnography and Anthropology and at the end of 2023,the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology.The Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan Republic decided on this on January 19 in year 2024.
The Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology conducts archaeological and anthropological research in our country.Currently,new topics of the institute’s scientific research works that meet the requirments of the modern agenda are being prepared.