Currently, the area is too politically unstable to support extensive excavations. Azykh archaeological site is located in Karabagh, the Armenian populated and now seceded autonomous district of Azerbaijan. The site is located in a mountainous area in the southwestern corner of Azerbaidjan. Stratigraphy for the site was recorded and this site is considered to be the most ancient site in Transcaucasia. The lowest two levels reveal the first stages of Lower Paleolithic with chipping tools and choppers typical of many places in Africa and East Asia.
Phylogenetic morphology reveals many primitive features.
Rather, it is more likely an early form of Neandertal similar to other Neandertal remains in Europe. Since the secession of Karabagh from Azerbaijan in 1988, the area is extremely politically unstable and no further research is possible. Note that these sites are along the southern border of the country. Other Lower Paleolithic remains have been found in Eastern Asia, India, and Israel. Archaeological work in Mongolia in the last decade reveals sites with remains from Middle Paleolithic times but nowhere in Mongolia has a definite Lower Paleolithic layer been found.