Turkmenistan is an ancient land with a centuries-old history, rich in tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The millennial mysteries hidden in the depths of our earth, as well as such world-famous archaeological sites as Altyn-Depe, Nisa, Dehistan, and Shahrislam, invariably attract the attention of the domestic and international scientific community. The research laboratory of the department of restoration of cultural values and museum studies of 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 work carried out here to restore (reconstruct) and preserve archaeological finds testifies to the high scientific potential of our country.

Ancient items made of clay, ceramics, metal and stone discovered during archaeological excavations often reach us damaged, broken or covered in corrosion. Specialists, faculty, and students of 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 not just a craft, but painstaking scientific and creative work that requires in-depth study of the technologies of ancient masters, the characteristics of ornamentation, 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 the northwestern part of Ashgabat, were transferred to laboratory of our institute. Thanks to the precision work of specialists and students, unique items from that epoch, damaged by time, have been given a second life, returning to their original appearance in precise accordance with historical truth.

In addition, laboratory of the institute regularly receives finds from ancient sites located in various parts of our country. Teachers and students determine their belonging to a specific epoch, after which they carry out restoration and renovation work. As a result, revived pieces of our history are transferred to museums of the country as valuable exhibits.

Work in this field provides students of the Institute with an excellent opportunity to master professional skills, gain experience, and actively participate in scientific research activities. Young professionals who combine theoretical knowledge with practical work will in the future become the main force in preserving and studying the values left by our ancestors. In this way, the noble work carried out in the laboratory of the Turkmen state institute of culture opens up broad opportunities for the protection of our national cultural heritage, its study and scientific development.

Sahra Batyrova,
student of the Turkmen state institute of culture.