On September 16, 2024, the city of Shusha, Azerbaijan, hosted the meeting of the Association of Turkic World Archaeological Research Institutes and Centers (ARICA).
Organized by the Turkic Academy in collaboration with the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the event brought together leading archaeologists and experts from across Turkic-speaking countries.
Participants included the President of the Turkic Academy Shahin Mustafayev, along with heads of archaeological institutes and research centers from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan (including Karakalpakstan), Hungary, Mongolia and Tatarstan (Russian Federation).
The main theme of the meeting was the discussion of prospects for joint archaeological expeditions and research, aimed at pooling scientific resources and expertise accumulated by scholars from different nations.
In his address, Academician Shahin Mustafayev emphasized that the Turkic Academy is actively engaged in comprehensive research into various aspects of the history and culture of Turkic peoples. As part of this effort, the Academy is leading the "Sacred Geography of the Turkic World" project, which seeks to identify significant architectural and archaeological monuments that reflect the religious beliefs, historical events and cultural identity of the Turkic peoples.
Recent archaeological excavations conducted by the Academy include research in the Arkhangai region of Mongolia, where the memorial complex of the Kokturk period was uncovered, as well as the study of Oghuz artifacts along the Syr Darya River, including in the Kyzylorda region of Kazakhstan.
Mustafayev also highlighted the importance of coordinating international cooperation in the field of archaeology, noting that the Turkic Academy proudly serves as the Secretariat for the Association of Turkic World Archaeological Research Institutes and Centers.
“The Academy is working diligently to transform this association into an effective platform for implementing joint projects among member countries,” he stressed. He also proposed the establishment of a joint radiocarbon dating laboratory, which could become a critical hub for scientific collaboration.
During the event, two significant anniversaries were commemorated: the 120th anniversary of the birth of prominent Kazakh archaeologist and historian Alkey Margulan (1904–1985) and the 100th anniversary of renowned Kazakh archaeologist Kemel Akishev (1924–2003).
At the conclusion of the event, the participants signed a final declaration outlining key areas of cooperation and the next steps for advancing archaeological research in the Turkic world.
It is worth noting that the Association of Turkic World Archaeological Research Institutes and Centers (ARICA) was founded in November 2023 in Samarkand.
In addition to the official discussions, participants took part in a cultural program, visiting archaeological sites in the Karabakh region.
"Shusha, as a city that has withstood the tests of history, inspires us to preserve our past and shape a future where the cultural heritage of the Turkic world continues to thrive," President of the Academy stated.
