On January 31, 2025, President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree awarding the 2025 Presidential Prize for Youth.

According to the decree, 11 young individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in science, education, culture, youth policy, social activities, innovation, and entrepreneurship were selected as recipients of this prestigious award.

Among the awardees is Mirjavid Elshad oghlu Agalarov, a doctoral student and researcher at the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of ANAS.

Mircavid Agalarov successfully graduated from the Faculty of Humanities at Azerbaijan University in 2020 and later enrolled in its master’s program. In 2022, he was admitted to the doctoral program at the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, where he began his PhD dissertation on “Seljuk Period Faience Ceramics in Azerbaijan’s Archaeological Heritage.”

Since 2023, he has been working part-time at the Scientific Fund and Exhibition Department of the institute, where he currently continues as a researcher.

A Passion for Archaeology and International Engagement

Mirjavid Agalarov’s interest in archaeology began during his university years. In 2017 and 2018, he participated in the AEB2017 and AEB2018 projects (Archaeological Research of Barda), a joint initiative between Oxford University and the Moscow State University Baku Branch. Additionally, he took part in various international scientific events on archaeology and was a participant in the Erasmus+ program.

Since joining the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, he has actively participated in numerous archaeological expeditions organized by the institute.

His field research experience includes work in 11 different excavation sites, including:

  • Chinartapa multi-layered ancient settlement in Aghdam
  • Shahri-Sharifan archaeological site in Zangilan

Involvement in Prestigious International Projects

Between 2022 and 2024, he participated in:

  • LKREP (Azerbaijan-Germany Joint Project on the Study and Excavation of the Karabakh Plain)
  • UNESCO’s Silk Road Online Platform Program, contributing to the project “Glazed Ceramics of Ganja (9th-15th centuries)”
  • The European Union’s COST Program – Gametable Project

Currently, he is involved in multiple ongoing research projects.

Mirjavid Agalarov has represented the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology at conferences held in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Türkiye, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.

Recognizing his academic excellence, international training, and contributions to archaeology, the leadership of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology and ANAS nominated Mirjavid Agalarov for the Presidential Prize for Youth.

His selection for this prestigious award is a clear demonstration of President Ilham Aliyev’s commitment to supporting the field of archaeology and advancing scientific research in Azerbaijan.

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