The international scientific meeting "Turkmenistan – the hearth of ancient civilizations" was held at the National Museum "Ak bugdaý"

On October 16, the Ak bugdaý National Museum hosted an international scientific meeting "Turkmenistan – the hearth of ancient civilizations", dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the birth of outstanding scientists, archaeologists, laureates of the Makhtumkuli International Prize Vadim Masson and Victor Sarianidi.

Turkmen and Russian researchers took part in the forum organized by the National Directorate of Turkmenistan for the Protection, Study and Restoration of Historical and Cultural Monuments. They were joined by colleagues from Italy and the Czech Republic via online communication.

As you know, the Turkmen state appreciated the contribution of Russian archaeologists to the study of the history of the Motherland. Academicians Vadim Masson and Viktor Sarianidi have been awarded the Makhtumkuli International Prize and other state awards over the years. Their works were published in mass editions in the country, and their discoveries were included in school textbooks on the history of the Ancient World.

In addition, the outstanding personalities of academicians Vadim Masson and Victor Sarianidi are mentioned in the writings of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

The beginning of the scientific meeting was preceded by an exposition reflecting the flavor and versatility of the original ancestral traditions of the Turkmen people, as well as a video dedicated to the study of the cultural heritage of Turkmenistan.

The participants of the event noted that two joint Turkmen-Russian archaeological expeditions are currently working, created by the National Directorate of Turkmenistan for the Protection, Study and Restoration of Historical and Cultural Monuments in partnership with two institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences: the N.N.Miklukho-Maklay Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology (Moscow) and the St. Petersburg Institute the history of material culture.

In the preface to the book "Anau – culture from the depths of millennia", the head of state notes that world-famous archaeologists and historians, conducting scientific research and archaeological excavations in our country, have discovered many important finds and made sensational discoveries of global importance. A worthy contribution to this large-scale work was made by Rafael Pampelli, who was one of the first to announce the unique culture of Anau to the world, as well as Vadim Masson, Victor Sarianidi and other outstanding scientists.

Separate reports at the forum were devoted to Gonur-depe, the capital of the ancient country of Margush, called Margiana in Greek and Roman chronicles, the largest settlement in Central Asia of the Bronze Age (late III – mid II millennium BC) and important scientific discoveries for the world community.

As noted, in 1972, the legendary archaeologist Viktor Sarianidi, together with his Turkmen colleagues, discovered Gonur-depe and began excavations here.

In the era of the Revival of a new era of a powerful state in the country, much attention is paid to the development of social and humanitarian sciences, the fundamental study of cultural heritage, the reconstruction of historical monuments, and their popularization throughout the world.

It should be noted that in recent years Turkmenistan has gained extensive experience in holding large-scale exhibitions of museum valuables abroad. In this context, the importance of presenting abroad the artifacts of ancient Margiana, which occupies a unique place in the history of the East, was emphasized.

The general cultural significance of ancient manuscripts, monument cities, Bronze Age settlements in the foothills of Kopetdag Ulug-depe, as well as the life of Turkmen cities located along the railways at the beginning of the XX century were also highlighted.

The forum participants focused on uncovering the still unexplored secrets of Paryz-depe, studying its cultural layers, searching and systematizing artifacts, which will help shed light on its history, tell about the life of this settlement and the people who inhabited it.

As noted, the settlement of Paryzdepe, a classic organizational structure characteristic of historical settlements of the East, has not undergone any significant changes over many centuries. The work of the National Leader of the Turkmen people "Turkmen Culture" says that the layout of the ancient cities of Turkmenistan has served as a model for the development of the building culture of Central Asia for thousands of years.

During the forum, the guests got acquainted with the open–air monuments: the ancient fortress of Anau and the mosque of Seyit Dzhemaletdin, a famous architectural complex with unique tiled ornaments, and also exchanged views on their study on a scientific basis.

Emphasizing the relevance of the current meeting, its participants expressed gratitude to President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen people for their multifaceted activities aimed at developing cooperation in the study and preservation of world historical and cultural values, an integral part of which are monuments and priceless archaeological finds made on Turkmen soil.

Source: State News Agency