Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree October 29 on the celebration of the 2800th anniversary of Mugan Babazanli monuments.

"It has been proved through numerous researches conducted thus far and various revealed samples of material culture that Azerbaijan is a country with an extremely rich and great historical past," the presidential order says. "Our ancestors' residing in that territory since the ancient times is further confirmed by the fact that during recent excavations conducted in the Babazanli area in the Salyan region, also known as the center of the Mugan archaeological culture, a residential area dating back to the period 2,800 years ago was found."

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism together with Salyan Executive Authority and Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences was instructed to develop and carry out a plan of activities to mark the anniversary of the Mugan Babazanli monuments.

Earlier, two years ago, Azerbaijani archaeologists revealed facts about the ancient inhabitants of Azerbaijan which proved Azerbaijanis' affiliation to the ancient Turks.

Pictures related to shamanism were found as a result of research conducted in the jug burials in the Babazanli territory, which proves residence of ancient Turks (Oguz Turks) in the Azerbaijani territories in the early historical period and the fact that most of the ancient Azerbaijani inhabitants were Turks.

Exquisite antique kitchenware was found at the top of each jug burial.

Furthermore, an ancient cemetery was accidentally discovered during excavations carried out at the Babazanli quarry between the Shorkend and Chukhanly villages. Then it was decided to conduct large-scale archaeological excavations in the territory.

Studies also revealed cranial bones in the area.

According to archaeologists, the research confirms the fact that those monuments and the jug burials belong to the Albanians.