On May 30, 2025, the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology organized an international scientific-practical seminar titled “A New Stage in the Study of the Azykh Cave: Modern Geoarchaeological Methods for Reconstructing the Ancient History of Humankind” at the main building of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS).

Opening the seminar, PhD in History, Associate Professor Farhad Guliyev, Director of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of ANAS, emphasized that among the archaeological research conducted in the liberated territories with direct support from the national leadership, the investigations at the Azykh Cave, conducted in line with the requirements of modern science, hold particular importance. “In accordance with the provisions of the cooperation agreement signed with Aarhus University in Denmark, an international archaeological expedition has been operating since 2023, initiating archaeometric research at the Azykh Cave involving multiple scientific disciplines. The main goal of this expedition is the collection of both organic and inorganic samples from the ancient site and their analysis in various directions. These analyses will provide data on the ecological conditions, climate, early humans, their lifestyle, diet, and more during the Paleolithic period in the Karabakh region. In parallel with these studies, we are planning to establish a network of diverse laboratories in the liberated territories in the future. At this international scientific-practical seminar, we will present the nature and preliminary results of the ongoing research,” said F. Guliyev.

The presentation by Azad Zeynalov, PhD in History, leading researcher at the Institute and Azerbaijani co-leader of the international expedition composed of scientists from Denmark, Norway, and Germany, was met with interest. His lecture titled “The History of Paleolithic Research in Azerbaijan” covered the stages of searching for Paleolithic camps in Azerbaijan, the pioneering archaeological surveys conducted in the 1960s by the late Mammadali Huseynov along the Guruchay and Kondelenchay rivers in Karabakh, and his discoveries of multi-layered Paleolithic sites at Azykh and Taghlar. Zeynalov also shared information about the early work of the current international expedition he co-leads.

In his presentation titled “Azykh Cave – Chronicle of Hominin Evolution and Environmental Changes,” Professor Mads Faurschou Knudsen of the Department of Geoscience at Aarhus University and co-leader of the international scientific expedition from Denmark discussed the scientific significance of the Azykh Cave. He provided an overview of radiocarbon (14C), Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL), and Cosmogenic Radionuclide (CRN) dating methods. Professor Knudsen explained that advanced hominin species emerged in Africa 4.2 million years ago and spread across Eurasia through dynamic processes, with the Azykh Cave forming a special link in that chain across Eurasia.

Professor David Keith Wright, archaeologist from the University of Oslo, presented on the topic “The Biomarker Approach – What Can This Method Tell Us About Human Settlements at the Azykh Cave?” Prepared together with Associate Professor Rachel Lupien from the Department of Geoscience at Aarhus University, the presentation aimed to inform participants about the detection and analysis of biomarkers (chemical compounds) in the Paleolithic layers of the Azykh Cave. Biomarkers help reconstruct past biogeographical and environmental conditions and allow researchers to infer aspects of human activity.

Another highly engaging presentation was delivered by Associate Professor Frido Welker, Head of the Palaeoproteomics Analysis Laboratory at the Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen. His lecture, titled “Studying Human Evolution through Ancient Protein Analyses,” introduced methods for identifying biological remains based on proteins. He noted that the analysis of bone fragments can reveal information about the species, age, sex, diet, and other aspects of the organism.

The lecturers then answered questions from the participants.

Sabina Hajiyeva, Head of the State Service for Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, who attended the event, expressed her gratitude to the leadership of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology and to the members of the international scientific expedition for organizing this prestigious seminar. Delivering her remarks in both Azerbaijani and English, Sabina Hajiyeva also pointed out that the discovery of a female hominin at the Azykh Cave carries symbolic meaning. “The archaeological and archaeometric research carried out within the framework of international cooperation is constantly in the focus of the state leadership, relevant government bodies, and the Ministry of Cu

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