Today, the international scientific meeting “Historical and cultural monuments of Turkmenistan in the focus of the world community” was held in the capital, organized by the Ministry of Culture of the country on the instructions of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

The main goal of this event is to expand international cooperation and exchange of experience in the field of study, preservation and restoration of historical and cultural monuments. Turkmenistan has achieved significant success in this area.

Our country has invaluable treasures such as evidence of the ancient history and richest culture of the Turkmen people, which, thanks to the progressive state policy, have been recognized around the world. Currently, more than 1400 facilities of history and culture are registered in Turkmenistan, most of which are archeological monuments.

There are monuments of the world’s first farmers in the Turkmen land, including Gonur-depe, Kara-depe, Namazga-depe, Altyn-depe, Jeytun and Anau. Old Nisa, Ancient Merv, Kunyaurgench, Ancient Dehistan, Ancient Serakhs, Abiverd and Gektepe Fortress declared State Historical and Cultural Reserves are original open-air museums. The unique monuments of Ancient Merv, Kunyaurgench and Nisa are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as facilities of universal value.

The interest of the international scientific community in the facilities of historical and cultural heritage of our country is growing every year. A clear evidence in this respect is the present international scientific meeting “Historical and cultural monuments of Turkmenistan in the focus of the world community”.

Along with Turkmen historians, archaeologists, art historians, university lecturers, their foreign colleagues, including heads, leading employees and experts from the largest scientific and cultural centers of the world, took participation in the event. It should be noted that most of them are professionals who participated in joint archaeological research and studies at historical monuments of our country with Turkmen scientists.

The opening ceremony of the international scientific meeting, held at the State Museum of the State Cultural Center of Turkmenistan, was attended by members of the Government, leaders and representatives of the Ministry of Culture, including the National Administration for the Protection, Study and Restoration of Historical and Cultural Monuments of Turkmenistan, the Institute of History and Archeology of the Academy of Sciences, state historical and cultural reserves, sectoral universities, the media, scientists, culture and art figures, and students.

The speakers focused on the above-mentioned State Program for 2022-2028, highlighting that its implementation will contribute to further scientific study of the ancient history and rich cultural heritage of the Turkmen people, national values, their preservation for future generations and wide popularization in the world.

The measures stipulated in the document are also aimed at attracting foreign and domestic tourists to visit historical and cultural monuments and picturesque places of our country. At the same time, emphasis was on the main goal of the new program document that includes not only preserving the national heritage, but also giving it a new impetus for development.

The first volume of the edition will be published by 2028 and will include all available databases (dating, geographical coordinates, significance, progress of study, major finds, and much more) with relevant photographs, drawings and maps.

It the first time that such a large-scale work will be carried out in Turkmenistan.

According to the “State Program for 2022-2028 for the careful preservation of facilities related to the National historical and cultural heritage, their preservation and study, attracting tourists to them”, steps are outlined to restore and study many historical monuments in the country’s velayats.

Several international archaeological complex expeditions work in Turkmenistan. Their findings have been published in a new richly illustrated publication “Antiquities of Turkmenistan: Scientific Research and Restoration of Monuments”, prepared by the National Administration for the Protection, Study and Restoration of Historical and Cultural Monuments of Turkmenistan. Today, this collection of scientific articles was first presented to the international meeting participants.

As was pointed out during the presentation, the book includes articles by professionals who took part in archaeological expeditions and projects for the conservation and restoration of historical and cultural monuments of Turkmenistan over 10 years (2011-2021).

Basically, these are scientific reports that give an idea of the nature and results of field research, as well as restoration work over the specified period. The publication presents a wide review of the history of the material culture in Turkmenistan from the Eneolithic to the Middle Ages.

Many of the authors of articles spoke via a digital link at the plenary session of the international scientific meeting, which was opened by a video demonstration about archaeological excavations at historical and cultural monuments of Turkmenistan.

In particular, Professor of the Turin Center for Archaeological Research and Excavations, laureate of the Magtymguly International Prize Carlo Lippolis presented the report “The Water Supply System of the Old Nisa Fortress”.

Bendezu-Sarmiento, Doctor of Archeology and Anthropology, Senior Researcher at the National Museum of Natural History (France), told the meeting participants about the new discoveries of the Turkmen-French expedition at the Ulugdepe monument.

Professor of the University of London, expert of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Tim Williams spoke about his scientific research to study and preserve the monuments of Ancient Merv.

The report of Alexey Petrushkevich, the Candidate of Historical Sciences, an expert of cultural values, dealt with the Turkmen-Russian cooperation in the restoration of monuments.

During the meeting, reports were also heard that were delivered by Dr. Linnie Rose from the University of Washington (USA), Director of the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology named after N.N.Miklukho Maclay of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Historical Sciences Dmitry Funk, Anthropologist Nadezhda Dubova, the Professor at the same institute, and Professor of Archeology at the University of Bologna (Italy) Barbara Cerazetti.

At the plenary session, reports were made on the architecture of the medieval Abiverd, the Juma Mosque, discovered during excavations at the territory of the Dandanakan Fortress. The reports by scientists covered the topics related to using the latest technologies and equipment that contribute to the preservation of monuments, including modern methods of research in the field of mapping, and creating 3D models of facilities.

The speakers shared their experience in the field of preserving the unique archaeological sites in Turkmenistan, cited historical data regarding successful international cooperation in this area, etc. It was emphasized that not all museums in the world have in their funds the unique finds of scientific archaeological expeditions that are now stored in the museums of Turkmenistan.

The speakers emphasized the importance of the progressive policy being pursued by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov in the study, preservation and popularization of the cultural heritage of our ancestors, the establishment of broad international contacts and a favorable domestic political climate that promotes the intensification of scientific research and the involvement of leading professionals from other countries for these purposes.

The meeting participants and the guests watched the exhibition organized at the State Museum of the State Cultural Center with great interest. Its exposition presented unique archaeological finds, including the findings of excavations carried out by international and national expeditions at historical and cultural monuments and giving an idea of the work ongoing in our country to study and popularize the historical and cultural heritage, achievements in this area.

In the afternoon, the international scientific meeting “Historical and cultural monuments of Turkmenistan in the focus of the world community” continued its work in four sections, the meetings of which were held at the Turkmen State Institute of Culture, the State Academy of Arts, the State Museum of the State Cultural Center, the Institute of History and Archeology of the Academy of Sciences Turkmenistan.

Reports were heard on modern achievements in the study and preservation of historical and cultural monuments in Turkmenistan, the role of national heritage in the patriotic education of the younger generation, the importance of historical and cultural monuments in development of tourism and historical science in our country.

At the end of the international scientific meeting, its participants adopted an Appreciation Address to President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, assuring of their active participation in the study of historical and cultural monuments of our country, and their popularization in the world.