Realisation of Azerbaijanian-Norwegian Project on Excavations
of Alban Churches at the territory of Azerbaijan Republic begins.
Baku, 2 June 2000
2 June in Azerbaijan Engineering - Construction University (AzECU) was held the
meeting with participants of joint Azerbaijanian-Norwegian project on
excavations of Albanian churches at the territory of Azerbaijan Republic.
Project with Azerbaijanian side leads head of AzECU, professor Gulchohra
Mamedova, and from Norwegian side archaeologist Byernar Sturfeil. As B. Sturfeil
said, the excavations will start by next week, on the territory of Kish
settlement in Sheki region. Project will be carried out in 3 stages:
excavations, churches restoration in initial condition and conversion of
architecture's monument into museum. Investigations carried our during the first
stage will allow to date a monument, to restore its story from time of its
construction up to present. At the third stage, outward appearance of the church
will remain the same and inside the exposition discovered during samples
excavations will be launched. As G. Mamedova said, there are dozens if Albanian
Christian churches at the territory of Azerbaijan Republic. It is supposed, that
church in Kish settlement (dated 1 century A.D. ) is the most ancient Christian
temple in Caucasus. Albanian churches are mostly located in mountainous
localities of Sheki-Zakatal, Karabagh and Lachin-Kelbajar zones. According to
opinion of Azerbaijanian scientists, excavations of Albanian church in Kish
settlement will prove, that first Christian in Caucasus were Albans accepted
this religion in the beginning of A.D.