Azerbaijan to digitize historic monuments
Azerbaijan will digitize information on its historical and architectural monuments this year under a new state action plan
BAKU, Azerbaijan (MNTV) — Azerbaijan will digitize information on its historical and architectural monuments this year under a new state action plan, as archaeologists announced the discovery of an ancient caravanserai at the Beshbarmag site.
The digitization initiative is outlined in the “Action Plan on Declaring 2026 the Year of Urban Planning and Architecture,” approved by a decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev. The program will be implemented by the Ministry of Culture, the State Tourism Agency, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, and local executive authorities.
Separately, the State Tourism Agency confirmed the discovery of an ancient caravanserai in the Beshbarmag area, a finding described as scientifically significant for Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage.
“This discovery is of great scientific importance for the country and lays the foundation for future research,” said Elshan Mustafayev, head of the Preservation and Development of Cultural Heritage Department at the State Tourism Agency. Excavations at the site are expected to continue into 2026.
Safar Ashurov, head of the Beshbarmag Archaeological Expedition at the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, said excavations confirmed the presence of a cultural layer from the Early Bronze Age, associated with the Kur-Araz culture.
Ashurov called it a major breakthrough to locate the caravanserai after decades of uncertainty. The site had been mentioned by medieval travelers, including 17th-century explorer Adam Olearius.
“The structure of the caravanserai was identified through initial excavations, and numerous material cultural remains were found,” Ashurov said. “The building’s layout matches Olearius’ descriptions, and the discovery of coins, hookah tips and a touchstone further confirms that this was indeed a caravanserai.”
The remains were last reported in the 1920s by Soviet scholar Yevgeny Pakhomov, but later research efforts failed to pinpoint the location.
The Beshbarmag site lies within the Beshbarmaq Mountain State Historical-Cultural and Nature Reserve, established by presidential decree in June 2020 near the village of Qalashikhi in the Siyazan district.
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
