An international seminar titled “Rediscovering Humanity’s First Art” has been held in the Italian city of Cassine.
The seminar was organized by the SEN1SEN think tank and Palazzo Mandrilli Gallery, with technical support from the Azerbaijan Diaspora Support Fund, operating under the State Committee on Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Cassine municipal administration, News Cover reports, citing Azerbaijan's State Committee on Work with Diaspora.
The event brought together senior officials from government institutions, leading European scholars, international experts, museum directors, archaeologists and specialists in the study, preservation and management of rock art heritage from various countries around the world.
One of the seminar’s main objectives was to introduce the Gamigaya rock art complex, which Azerbaijan has nominated for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List, to an international scientific and professional audience.
An exhibition entitled “Messages from Millennia: Gobustan Petroglyphs,” prepared under the leadership of Professor Malahat Farajova, a representative of the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts, presented Gobustan’s ancient rock carvings, their historical and cultural significance, and Azerbaijan’s rich rock art heritage to an international audience.
Participating scholars and experts shared their views on the role of rock art in human history, contemporary scientific research in the field and its latest findings. The seminar was followed by the signing of an international cooperation memorandum outlining future areas of collaboration and development in rock art research and preservation.
The seminar was significant in promoting Azerbaijan’s rock art heritage to a wider audience through the use of modern digital technologies.
