BAKU, July 22, 2025 — Azerbaijan is preparing to nominate the Azykh Cave for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List, a move that would recognize the site’s immense archaeological and historical significance.
Speaking to Trend, Farhad Guliyev, Director of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology at the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, confirmed that active work is underway to submit the cave for official listing.
For the second consecutive year, an international archaeological expedition has been conducting excavations at Azykh Cave, comprising joint Azerbaijani-German and Azerbaijani-Danish teams. According to Guliyev, one of the key goals of the research — particularly in collaboration with Danish scientists — is to reconstruct the region’s paleolithic climate and environmental conditions.
“The scientific value of Azykh Cave is immeasurable,” Guliyev noted. “We’ve collected a range of samples, which have been sent to some of the world’s leading laboratories for comprehensive analysis.”
Discovered in the 1960s, Azykh Cave is one of the oldest known prehistoric human settlements in the Caucasus, offering critical insights into early human life in Eurasia. Inclusion in the UNESCO list would not only protect the site but also boost international awareness and scholarly interest in Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage.
