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ARCHAEOLOGİSTS
Fazil Osmanov
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He defended candidature dissertation on subject “Material culture of Caucasus Albania (3rd century B.C.-3rd century A.D.)” in May, 1968 and was granted academic degree of candidate of historical sciences. 

Osmanov Fazil Latif oglu was born in Sangalan Village of Agsu region on 10 May, 1936.
Osmanov Fazil Latif oglu, born in Sangalan Village of Agsu region on 10 May, 1936 got secondary professional education in Shamakhi Pedagogical Technical School named after M.A. Sabir in 1949-1953. He entered Faculty of History of Azerbaijan State University in 1954-1959.
He defended candidature dissertation on subject “Material culture of Caucasus Albania (3rd century B.C.-3rd century A.D.)” in May, 1968 and was granted academic degree of candidate of historical sciences.
Since 1959 he worked as head laboratory assistant, junior researcher, head scientific worker in History Institute of Academy of Sciences of the Azerbaijan Republic; chief scientific worker in Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography since 1996.
Since 1959-1960 Fazil Osmanov participated in numerous archaeological and ethnographic expeditions of Qebele, Khachbulag, Shamakhi, Nakhchievan, Gazakh, Baku, Kalbajar, Jabrayil and others; led Agsu-Ismayilli and Agjabedi archaeological expeditions. He primarily revealed and explored Nuydi, Qarachibulag, Uzunboylar, Girlartepe antique dwelling and necropolis in Agsu region; Talistan, Kurduvan, Mollaisagli, Hajihetemli, Qalagah and Shakili in Ismayilli region; Qarakober, Qalatepe in Agjabedy region and Shortepe Shehergah and necropolis in Barda region.
Fazil Osmanov grew in school of a very valuable scientist and teacher Saleh Gaziyev. His active and voluntary participation at archaeological excavations in Qebele and teacher’s advice supported him in further excavations. His first article is called “The development of gardening in Qebele” dealt with the results of Qebele excavations and published in the reports of National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan in 1962. The article was successful and stimulated him writing plenty of articles following years.
In his second scientific article he published the same year he gave primary information on artifacts of Agsu area, unknown to science of Azerbaijani history far from archaeologist’s spade, even foot and indicated the importance of research of this area.

One of poor learnt sites in Azerbaijani histography till mid of last century was antique period. Though a new stage began in this field with research of Mingechavir Monument, characterization of this period in other regions of Azerbaijan including Shirvan history was the duty of Azerbaijani history science.
Long-term explorations and reveal of artifacts assumed very great importance in the terms of research of both antique period, pre-antique period and following years since Shirvan historical region witnessed all stages of Azerbaijani history. If not to take into consideration archeological excavations in Shamakhi implementation of this important work in a wide scientific level in Shirvan historical region is connected with the name of Fazil Osmanov.
Fazil Osmanov started to apply the practice of implementation of archaeological excavation he obtained in Qebele in the first years of his scientific activity in Agsu and Ismayilli regions; obtained organization of archeological expeditions to this region as a result of long searches and intensive labour. By giving valuable information on grand monuments like Mollaisagli antique period monument, Javanshir Castle in the area of Ismayilli region in own article published in 1963 endeavored for wide explorations. The issue over religious ideology of Albans resided in historical Shirvan region in antique period found its reflection unambiguously in works of Fazil Osmanov. And it was repeatedly stated they are infidels. He proved this thesis by evidences based on clay idols he found from Mollaisaqli, Qarachibulaq, Girlartepe and other monuments.
One of the problems attracted much more attention in researches of Fazil Osmanov is research of Albanian grave monuments of different kind. His scientific works on ordinary soil, vessel and trough graves are valuable researches addressed by archaeologists and historians every time. His conclusions and views on origin of graves based on scientific evidences drew attention of experts of Azerbaijan and foreign countries. He repeatedly shared scientific articles with well-known Azerbaijani historian Igrar Aliyev on the issue. Fazil Osmanov created a school in the domain of study of antique age of Shirvan history and brought interesting novelties to Azerbaijani antique age history as a result of long-term explorations. Antique period helmets being the first and the only sample in Azerbaijan were revealed mainly from soil grave No. 2 in Nyudi excavations conducted by Fazil Osmanov. The article written by him about that helmet is distinctive with its scientific neatness in our literature.
Treasure of copper coin uncovered from soil grave No. 11 in Nyudi is the bright example of coin minting in Caucasus Albania and “recognition” of the coin by Albanians. Mainly Fazil Osmanov obtained primarily the coins minted by imitation of Albanians’ Hellenist coins from the grave as a treasure. Following Nuydi monument Fazil Osmanov launched exploration of mighty Uzunboylar and Girlartepe monuments in Agsu region. Uzunboylar Monument where rich graves belonged to 5th -4th century B.C. revealed, gave the best materials to characterize access stage to antique period. Artifacts belonged to a broad period from Eneolith up to middle ages were found from Girlartepe dwelling. Fazil Osmanov conducted archaeological excavations in this monument for long term and is still conducting with intervals. Fazil Osmanov got very interesting results from this monument explores fortress-town cemetery belonged to antique and first medieval centuries, stalled and traded by Silk Way caravans.
Fazil Osmanov explored not only Shirvan region, but also Mugan, Nakhchievan, Karabakh regions; elucidated the results of the excavations in his scientific articles. Fazil Osmanov had a very good photographic skill. His photos were distinctive for non-similarity. He took photos very often and personally the excavation procedure and the revealed materials along with interesting photos like long-life tree in Sangalan Village and side view of Azik Cave. Fazil Osmanov presented the most interesting archaeological materials to History Museum of Azerbaijan. The artifacts he revealed from Nuydi, Mollaisagli, Hajihatemli, Kurduvan and other monuments are preserved in Department of Archaeology of History Museum of Azerbaijan. Bronze helmet, clay idols and copper coins are shown in Museum’s exposition. As a result of 47-year scientific activity Fazil Osmanov created research field and school on antique age history and culture of Azerbaijan. Youth are undertaken to learn many things from this school.
Along with scientific research Fazil Osmanov worked as a teacher in Shamakhi affiliate of ASPU since 1993; chief of “General History and Public Sciences” Department of History and Philology faculty of ASPU Shamakhi affiliate since 1988. After Shamakhi affiliate cancelled, F. Osmanov had worked a lot in education of Master students at Azerbaijani State Pedagogical University.