Archaeological Excavations in Kish settlement started. Baku
23-24 June 2000
23-24 of June was started Norwege-Azerbaijanian archeological expedition on discovery and investigations of church in Kish settlement in Sheki region of Azerbaijan - one of the pearl of historical Caucasian Albania. In expedition participated prominent Norwegian specialists in archeology sphere, and also employees of Azerbaijanian Academy of Sciences, scientists of Republic's culture, scientific researchers of recently created scientific centre "Caucasian Albania". This expedition is the source of wide scale project on Kish's church study, which represents important component of Azerbaijan's historical legacy. Project plans consequtive realisation of some stages: historical - archeological investigations and architectural - archeological measures, elaboration of restoration's project and restorations job, and also consequitive monument's convertion into museum. Undoubt historical value of this architectural monument interested the government of Norwege and prominent Norwegian specialists and they sponsor the project. Great interest of Azerbaijanian and Norwegain scientists to the investigation of Kish's church is not accidental. It is based on the fact that appearance of this good saved monument allows to speak about its anciency in spite of clear signs of many reconstructions happened in different times. Besides, there are interesting facts, taken from written sources of different periods of time from ancient authors. For example, albanian historician of VII century Moisey Kalankaituyskiy informs that in 1st century A.D. , when "saint first witness" of Albania apostle Elisey arrived to Gis (Kish), he built there first church. This expression proves that first time in Trans-Caucasus Christianity was originated in Albania (at the territory of Azerbaijan). In case of this fact's confirmation of archaeological investigations, it will be possible to fill the space in investigation of ignoring fact during long period of Christian past of the country. Detailed scientific investigation of this church will allow to discover new not researched earlier sides of cultural past of the country. At present time are carried out the works on discovery and archaeological research of the monument.