Baku: The Stone Chronicle Museum hosted a presentation ceremony for the 'Chovdar Necropolis' book, a scientific publication showcasing the results of an archaeological research project. Supported by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and AzerGold CJSC, and conducted with the participation of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), the project has been active since 2019.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the event featured an exhibition of material and cultural heritage items unearthed during archaeological excavations. Zakir Ibrahimov, in his opening remarks, thanked the Heydar Aliyev Foundation for their support and the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of ANAS for their research contributions. The 'Chovdar Necropolis' project, one of AzerGold CJSC's longest-running socio-cultural initiatives, uncovered 156 graves and over 6,000 artifacts from the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages during a five-month excavation.
The research involved local scientists and international specialists from Italy, Japan, and Turkey. For the first time, DNA analyses were conducted on human remains, with nearly 13 million DNA molecules processed per sample. This analysis provided a comprehensive demographic profile of the Chovdar population, revealing their Caucasian origins and a history in the region spanning over 400 years.
Soltan Mammadov, Member of the National Assembly and Head of the International Relations Department of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, emphasized the project's significance for understanding Azerbaijan's ancient roots and the Foundation's role in promoting archaeological research both domestically and internationally. He affirmed that the findings underscore Azerbaijan's historical role as a center of ancient human culture.
Orkhan Abbasov, Head of the Executive Authority of Dashkasan District, highlighted the district's rich archaeological heritage, noting that 49 historical and cultural monuments are registered with the state. He stated that the Chovdar Necropolis study has further enriched the district's cultural heritage.
Sabina Hajiyeva, Head of the State Service for the Protection, Development, and Restoration of Cultural Heritage, underlined the importance of the project in preserving Azerbaijan's historical and cultural legacy.
Farhad Guliyev, Director of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of ANAS, shared that the findings were analyzed following international standards. Spectral analyses in Pisa, Italy, showed that the metal artifacts were crafted using various alloys, indicating early metallurgical development in the region. The discovery of glass beads and cowrie shells points to ancient economic and cultural ties with the Mediterranean and beyond.
The Chovdar Necropolis was initially discovered during construction at the Chovdar Processing Area by AzerGold CJSC in 2019. The newly published book, available in Azerbaijani and English, aims to present the Chovdar Necropolis' rich heritage to a broader audience, furthering the promotion of national heritage.