Guliyev: Azerbaijan documents vandalism against cultural heritage in its liberated lands

Acts of vandalism against historical and cultural heritage in Azerbaijan's liberated territories are being documented, Farhad Guliyev, Director of the Archaeology and Anthropology Institute of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), said at the international conference titled "Enhancing Cooperation and Advancing Modern Approaches in Addressing the Issue of Missing Persons," Report informs.

According to Guliyev, young specialists are conducting physical‑anthropological research and participating in scientific studies.

"These investigations mainly focus on grave monuments and necropolises. They have yielded important results, revealing information long inaccessible. Armenians deliberately destroyed not only settlements but also our historical and cultural heritage. History shows that when a territory is occupied, cemeteries, historical and religious monuments are often the first targets to undermine a people's spiritual values," he said.

The director also pointed out that the research has uncovered evidence of the destruction of cemeteries and necropolises dating back to the Karabakh Khanate period: "Our institute is documenting all acts of destruction and vandalism against cultural heritage in the liberated territories. The demolition of cemeteries, mausoleums, and other monuments, as well as interference with graves, are part of the grave crimes committed against our people and country during the occupation."

He emphasized that archaeological and scientific studies serve to record these facts and provide the necessary basis for restoring damaged grave monuments: "In line with the policy set by the head of state, work continues consistently to protect, study, and restore historical and cultural heritage in the liberated territories."