Ibn Sina's ancient manuscript preserved in Azerbaijan

He highly appreciated the work of the 1st international conference Traditional Medicine and Materia Medica in Medieval Manuscripts.

"There is a concrete reason of holding this conference. Azerbaijan's three old medical manuscripts were included into the world's list a year ago. This proofs that books on medicine were written in Azerbaijan at the Middle Ages and those books were read by the entire Muslim world. Precious books on medicine written in other Muslim countries were brought to Azerbaijan in that period," the scientist said.

Mr.Alakbarli also gave thorough information on the manuscripts included into UNESCO's world memory, APA informs.

"UNESCO has included our ancient manuscripts, cultural and scientific heritage into its list. One of them is Ibn Sina's (Avicenna) one of the ancient manuscripts, which is preserved at the ANAS Institute of Manuscripts.

This manuscript copied in 1143 is about medical laws, different details of medical science, drug plants, and it describes over 1,000 drug plants.

Besides, Abdul Gasim Zahrabi's manuscript on surgery dating to the 13th century is also preserved at our Institute. This is one of the ancient manuscripts on medical science in the world.

The third manuscript included into the UNESCO's list is called "Zahiri nizamshahi". Though it dates to the 17th century, its original dates to 13th century.

"This book is preserved only in Azerbaijan and it has no other copy in anywhere," Alakbarli said.