Syakhra Batyrova, student of the Turkmen State Institute of Culture
Turkmenistan is an ancient land with a centuries-old history, rich in tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The millennia-old secrets hidden in the depths of our land, as well as world-famous archaeological sites such as Altyn-Depe, Nisa, Dehistan, and Shahrislam, consistently attract the attention of the national and international scientific community. The research laboratory of the Department of Restoration of Cultural Values and Museum Studies at the Turkmen State Institute of Culture plays a crucial role in studying these ancient treasures and preserving them for future generations in their original form. The restoration and conservation work carried out here on archaeological finds testifies to the high scientific potential of our country.
Ancient clay, ceramic, metal, and stone objects discovered during archaeological excavations often reach us damaged, broken, or corroded. Specialists, faculty, and students at our institute conduct a preliminary scientific assessment of these finds, performing delicate and complex operations to clean, strengthen, and restore them to their original appearance. Restoration is more than just a craft; it is a painstaking scientific and creative endeavor that requires in-depth study of ancient craftsmanship, ornamental features, and historical information.
A striking example of such important work is the restoration of ceramic vessels from the Parthian Empire. These valuable artifacts, discovered by chance in September 2020 in northwestern Ashgabat, were transferred to our institute’s laboratory. Thanks to the meticulous work of specialists and students, these unique objects from that era, damaged by time, have been given a second life, returning to their original appearance in precise accordance with historical truth.
Furthermore, the institute’s laboratory regularly receives finds from ancient monuments located throughout our country. Faculty and students determine their specific eras and then carry out restoration and renovation work. As a result, these revived pieces of our history are donated to museums across the country as valuable exhibits.
Work in this field provides the institute’s students with an excellent opportunity to master professional skills, gain experience, and actively participate in scientific research. Young specialists, combining theoretical knowledge with practical work, will in the future become a key force in preserving and studying the treasures left by our ancestors. Thus, the noble work carried out in the laboratory of the Turkmen State Institute of Culture opens up vast opportunities for the protection, study, and scientific development of our national cultural heritage. /// 6 November 2026 (cross post from TDH)