Baku: Two significant Paleolithic monuments have been discovered in the Azikh and Taghlar caves, with results expected to be announced in the second half of next year. Farhad Guliyev, Director of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, shared this information with APA.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the discoveries are of international importance, leading to joint expeditions with specialists from Azerbaijan, Germany, Japan, and Denmark. These teams are led by archaeologists from the Azerbaijan Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, comprising 50 researchers equally divided between local and foreign experts. The expeditions are the result of long-term negotiations with global scientific centers that possess deep knowledge of Azerbaijani culture. Furthermore, students from Azerbaijani and foreign universities are participating in the research.
F. Guliyev highlighted that every sample from the Azikh and Taghlar monuments undergoes comprehensive laboratory analyses in renowned dating laboratories in Western countries. These analyses take time due to the age of the monuments, which are estimated to be 1.8 million years old. The process is conducted in multiple stages, with results published jointly after their announcement.
The director also mentioned that significant scientific results are anticipated by the first half of 2026, employing modern technological and methodological approaches distinct from previous Soviet-era studies. These new findings are expected to be groundbreaking and will be published after a joint meeting in reputable scientific publications.
Research in the Azikh and Taghlar caves is set to continue until 2030. The studies are complex, involving not only archaeological excavations but also contributions from geography, geology, and other scientific fields. The primary aim is to explore the lifestyle, living conditions, and development dynamics of early humans during that period. Each sample is meticulously collected and sent for scientific analysis to ensure reliable laboratory results.