The first official meeting of the Association of Research Institutes and Centers of Archaeology of the Turkic World (ARICA) was held in the city of Shusha, Azerbaijan, from September 14 to 18, 2024. The event was organized jointly by the Turkic Academy and the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan. A total of 19 representatives from leading research institutions from Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Hungary, Uzbekistan, as well as from the Karakalpakautonomy and Tatarstan (Russian Federation) participated in the event.

The event was opened with a welcoming speech by the President of the Turkic Academy, Prof. Dr. Shahin Mustafayev, who greeted the participants and emphasized the symbolic significance of holding the meeting in Shusha, one of Azerbaijan’s historic cultural centers, for the entire Turkic world. Prof. Dr. Shahin Mustafayev outlined the main theses of the concept concerning the future directions of Turkic world archaeology in accordance with the challenges of modern science. The Director of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, PhD, Associate Professor Farhad Guliyev, welcomed the participants and spoke about the responsibilities of archaeologists in the context of the restoration and reconstruction work being carried out by the Azerbaijani government in the territories liberated from occupation.

Following the opening speeches, the participants presented their research in thematic sessions on “Studies of the Turkic-Islamic Heritage” and “The Cultural Influence of Turkic Peoples in Eurasia.” In the final part of the event, a roundtable discussion was held to exchange scientific views.

At the conclusion of the meeting, a resolution of ARICA’s gathering in Shusha was adopted, defining key directions for mutual cooperation in the study of the archaeological heritage of the Turkic world.

Additionally, the participants visited cemeteries, mosques, and residential settlements that were destroyed during the period of occupation, serving as evidence of numerous acts of vandalism committed by Armenian occupiers. They also observed the large-scale restoration and reconstruction efforts currently being carried out in the liberated territories. Moreover, the participants visited the sites of ongoing archaeological excavations in these areas.

It is worth noting that during the First Working Meeting of the Leaders of the Turkic World’s Archaeological Institutes and Centers, held on November 9-10, 2023, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, several key directions for strengthening cooperation in archaeological research among Turkic peoples were discussed. This meeting served as a platform for representatives of various archaeological institutes and centers to discuss common challenges, cooperation opportunities, and strategies to enhance the global visibility and influence of Turkic archaeology.

As a result of this initial meeting, the Association of Research Institutes and Centers of Archaeology of the Turkic World (ARICA) was officially established. The creation of ARICA marks a significant milestone in strengthening cooperation among Turkic peoples in the field of archaeological research. The association aims to promote Turkic archaeological collaboration, conduct joint research and expeditions, cooperate with international organizations, train specialists, and publish scientific literature.

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