The main goal of the Institute’s activity is to organize and conduct fundamental scientific research aimed at studying the rich material and cultural heritage of Azerbaijan in the field of archeology and anthropology. In order to realize this goal, the following directions were determined by the statute of the institute and the activities were organized accordingly:
Conduct research in the field of history and theory of Azerbaijani archeology;
- To ensure that scientific research in the Republic of Azerbaijan is based on the idea of Azerbaijanism, the development strategy and national priorities of the country approved at the state level.
- To organize field research works in our country based on the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers “Rules for organizing and conducting scientific expeditions in the Republic of Azerbaijan”;
- To participate in the protection of historical and cultural monuments in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments” and “On Culture”;
- To carry out monitoring and give opinions on the basis of official applications of relevant state institutions;
- Conducting cooperation and joint research works that meet the interests of our country with the foreing countries scientific centers;
- To prepare and publish fundamental works in the fields of archeology and anthropology.
- To carry out research on the problem of the genetic connection of the people who lived and continue to live in our territory with the history of the settlement of Azerbaijan, physical anthropological research;
- Conduct various archaeological researches, including forensic archaeology, in our historic lands freed from occupation;
The main scientific directions of the institute are based on these principles, and the following scientific directions have been determined in the conduct of scientific research:
- Stone Age Archaeology
- Archeology of the Bronze Age
- Archeology of the Iron Age
- Archeology of Antiquity
- Archeology of the early medieval period
- Archeology of the Islamic period
- Archeology of the Albanian period
- Forensic archaeology
- Caspian archaeology
- Ethnoarchaeology
- Numismatic and epigraphic studies
- Anthropological studies
- History and theory of archaeological heritage