On April 13–14, 2026, an international scientific conference titled “Current Problems of Archaeological and Anthropological Research in the Ganja-Gazakh Region” was held. The event was jointly organized by the State Service for the Protection, Development, and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the ANAS Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, the Agstafa District Executive Power, and the “Avey” and “Keshikchidagh” State Historical and Cultural Reserves. The conference was dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the prominent Paleolithic scholar, PhD in History, Associate Professor Mansur Mansurov, as well as April 18 – International Day for Monuments and Sites. During the event, guests were informed that a joint Azerbaijan-Germany archaeological expedition is conducting research at the Agaliqtepe settlement from April 6 to May 1, 2026. The expedition is led by Associate Professor Shamil Najafov from the ANAS Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology on the Azerbaijani side, and Professor Dr. Martin Gruber, Head of the Department of Ancient Near Eastern Studies at the Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg, on the German side. The research is being carried out with the participation of staff from the “Keshikchidagh” and “Avey” reserves. Participants of the scientific tour included Mahir Gahramanov, Head of the Reserve Management Sector of the Ministry of Culture, staff from the ANAS Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, the management and team of the “Avey” reserve, as well as local and foreign researchers. It was noted that the joint excavations at Agaliqtepe, which dates back to the Late Bronze – Early Iron Age, began in 2025. The research has uncovered numerous household pits, hearths, large ceramic jars, seals, and grave complexes belonging to both children and adults. These findings are of significant scientific importance for studying the ancient settlement patterns and economic traditions of the region. The scientific tour concluded with discussions and an exchange of views on the ongoing excavations, highlighting the importance of such events in researching, protecting, and promoting Azerbaijan’s rich archaeological heritage to the international scientific community.
