In ANAS (Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences), the National History Museum of Azerbaijan is held the conference in the frame of “Role of museums in the study of Azerbaijan History” dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the museum. The director of the History Museum, academician Naila Valikhanly opened the conference and gave information about the establishment history of the museum.
The first order of the establishment of “The Independence museum” was given in the period of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. “Education museum” was established with the order of People’s Enlightenment Commissars, After decline of ADR , on June 15, 1920. Then the name of the museum renamed after “Educational Museum of Native Land-Independence”. On October 25, 1920 the name of the museum renamed after “Azerbaijan SSR State Museum”. Later on the name of the museum and its profile renamed appropriate to the period of that time.
The museum launched its activity as History Museum of Azerbaijan in 1936, since 1945 has been SSR ANAS (Azerbaijan National academy of Sciences), The National History Museum of Azerbaijan. After independence of our country the museum had national status.
As academician Naila Valikhanly noted the museum had four directors till 1923. The famous historian, archaeologist, geographer, anthropologist Davud Sharifov was the director of the museum from 1923 to 1928. While he was the director, the museum organized archaeological and ethnographical expeditions for the first time in Azerbaijan.
From 1928 to 1937 the museum had miserable period. Massesyan replaced Davud Sharifov and manukyan replaced Massesyan. The important material for Azerbaijan History were taken from the fund of the museum and was sent to Moscow State Museum. They couldn’t have been returned back.
The employee of ANAS Archeology and Ethnography Institute, doctor of historical science Gafar Jabiyev spoke about the further fate of the archeological finds and noted: “The preservation and conservation of the obtained finds are very important. The museum is responsible for it”.
As he noted archeological excavations on the territory of republic have widened recently. “Nearly 40 expeditions were led in 2009. Some new archeological monuments were found out. These monuments are not only important for Azerbaijan history, but also for the World History”. G. Jabiyev noted that archeological materials are preserved I ANAS Archeology and Ethnography Institute and in the funds of National History Museum of Azerbaijan. But as there are a lot of materials in the funds, so, obtained materials are submitted to the indigenous ethnography museums. G. Jabiyev also noted that it is inevitable to establish new funds got high status for the study of Azerbaijan History.”
Chief department of ANAS Archeology and Ethnography Institute, correspondent member of ANAS Ilyas Babayev notes that during archeological excavations on the territory of Kabala, a lot of faience vessels were found out and traces of Greece culture are available on these vessels. He thinks that faience vessels are characteristic of Albanian culture and it indicates the relationship between Azerbaijan states and Ancient Greece.