Baku: The history and Christian heritage of Caucasian Albania have recently returned to the spotlight. Discussions regarding ancient Albanian-Christian monuments in Karabakh, visits by diplomatic representatives to the Gandzasar and Khudavang monasteries, and statements by Azerbaijani officials concerning the historical significance of this heritage have brought the topic to the fore. At the same time, objections raised by the Armenian side regarding Azerbaijan's linking of the Christian heritage in Karabakh to Caucasian Albania have become a key aspect of the discourse. Meanwhile, recent archaeological research conducted in various regions of the country has once again highlighted the importance of studying the material and cultural heritage of Caucasian Albania.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Hasan Hasanov has emphasized the importance of accurately recording the founding dates of historical states such as Atropatene and Albania. During a recent seminar at the Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations, Hasanov pointed out that the states of Atropatene and Albania are presented incorrectly in Azerbaijani history textbooks. He asserted that Albania was established in 66 BC, not in the 4th century BC, and highlighted that Albania had been part of Atropatene for 546 years prior to its establishment as an independent kingdom.
Hasanov further noted that during the period between 612 BC and 66 BC, the territories inhabited by the Albanians and Sakas were part of a region known as Atropatene. He cited ancient sources such as Plutarch and Cassius Dio, which mention the King of Albania in connection with events from 66 BC, establishing the timeline for the formation of a centralized, independent Kingdom of Albania.
In addition, Hasanov dispelled claims regarding connections between the ruling dynasties of Albania and Armenia. He referenced historians Movses Khorenatsi and Movses Kaghankatvatsi, who identified the first ruling dynasty of Albania as the lineage of Sisak, of Scythian origin.
The seminar also featured a map of Albania from a geographical atlas, depicting the state's territory from the foothills of the Greater Caucasus Mountains to the Aras River. This visual representation underscored the historical geography of Caucasian Albania, offering insights into the ancient settlements and tribal distribution in the region.
As discussions about the history and Christian heritage of Caucasian Albania continue, Azerbaijan underscores the importance of studying and presenting this heritage based on scholarly sources and archaeological evidence. The ongoing research into centuries-old sources, maps, and stone inscriptions remains crucial in understanding Karabakh's historical past and its connections to Caucasian Albania.