Baku: The presentation of the book “Return: Our Material and Cultural Heritage in Western Azerbaijan (Volume III)” has been held, APA reports. This event took place during the scientific-practical conference titled “In the Footsteps of the Deported Heritage.”

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the scientific research work “Return: Our Material-Cultural Heritage in Western Azerbaijan” was compiled using sources from state and private archives in Trkiye, Russia, Georgia, Iran, and various European countries. Authored by Afghan Valiyev, an employee of the Social Research Center, the third volume focuses on 144 additional examples of material and cultural heritage tied to Western Azerbaijan. Throughout all three volumes, the historical context of these monuments has been meticulously examined, and they have been registered under a precise scientific classification.

The extensive study has successfully covered 532 monuments associated with Western Azerbaijan’s material and cultural heritage. In this third volume, comprehensive details about 144 significant monuments have been categorized into 20 distinct groups. These include 21 shrines, hearths, and pilgrimage sites; 6 mosques; 12 tombstone monuments; 7 tombstone chest monuments; 21 temples; 16 forts; 5 caravanserais; 4 mausoleums; 2 domes; 2 sarcophagi; 3 ethnographic-archaeological monuments; 10 tombstone sculptures; 4 archaeological monuments; 2 bridges; 5 stone inscriptions; 2 madrassas; 2 religious schools; 2 neighborhoods; 14 rock carvings; ancient settlements; and 4 basilicas.

The research reveals that among these monuments, 32 have been destroyed, 42 have fallen into disrepair, and 70 have been appropriated. The work classifies and provides information on the specific features of each monument, including its name, history, location (both former and current toponyms), classification, type, purpose, significance, and present condition, offering readers concise details about each site.