In accordance with the memorandum of understanding signed between the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) and the Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg (Germany), aimed at enhancing scientific cooperation in the field of archaeology, a joint archaeological expedition organized by the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology has successfully completed its field research planned for the current year.

The expedition was co-led by Associate Professor Shamil Najafov, PhD in History, Senior Researcher at the Institute, representing Azerbaijan, and Professor Dr. Martin Gruber, Head of the Department of Ancient Near Eastern Studies at Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, representing Germany.

The project, of which the archaeological expedition forms a part, is a component of the university’s interdisciplinary strategy for the innovative development and long-term consolidation of Ancient Near Eastern studies, running from October 2021 to October 2027. Within this framework, the two parties will expand educational and research practices in archaeology, restoration, conservation, and cultural heritage management. The cooperation will include coordinated excavation, restoration, conservation, and rescue programs, as well as material analyses of organic and inorganic remains. Furthermore, the project provides opportunities for interdisciplinary archaeological research such as archaeozoological, archaeobotanical, microscopic analyses, GIS-based studies, and other laboratory-related work.

The agreement also includes mutual access to laboratory infrastructure for researchers from both countries, enabling the analysis of archaeological materials from field projects conducted in Azerbaijan and Germany. Joint publications will be prepared upon the completion of the research phases.

Excavations were carried out at the Agalygtepe settlement, dating to the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages, located near the village of Dag Kesemen in the Aghstafa district.

The primary objective of the excavations and the selection of Agalygtepe as the research site was to study the extent of the Khojaly-Gadabay archaeological culture in the region, to determine the absolute chronology of the archaeological materials, and to investigate the patterns of settlement during the final stages of the Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age.

Initial excavations covered over 200 square meters of the approximately 2.5-hectare site and revealed a culturally rich stratigraphy. In addition to structures of economic purpose—such as very deep and wide storage pits—the team uncovered hearths and related features, remains of mudbrick architecture, floor surfaces, and traces of rectangular rooms. The ceramic assemblage was diverse in both form and content. The presence of spindle whorls suggests that textile production was a developed craft in the area. Stone tools indicate that, alongside animal husbandry, ancient inhabitants also practiced agriculture. Preliminary results support the conclusion that the Agalygtepe settlement was densely inhabited during the period in question and that its population was engaged in a wide range of economic activities.

The archaeological investigations at Agalygtepe are planned to continue in the following year.

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