Turkmenistan is actively working to study, preserve and transfer the national heritage to the future generations, which is part of world culture. Cultural institutions, in particular museums of the country, play an important role in this process.
One of the vivid examples is the Museum of History and Local Lore of the Koitendag etrap of the Lebap Velayat, opened on September 1, 1997. The museum attracts visitors not only from different parts of Turkmenistan, but also from abroad. It is located in a unique natural region known for its wonders such as a healing forest, mysterious caves and dinosaur trails.
The main task of the museum staff is to reveal the rich history and natural features of Koitendag, also to preserve the traditions and culture of the local people. The museum includes three departments: archaeology, ethnography and nature, each of one has unique exhibits. The Archaeological Department introduces the ancient history of the right coast of the Amu River. There are exhibits from the Stone Age to the beginning of the 20th century, including loamy figurines, ceramics, stone tools, coins and ceramic vessels that shows the development of ceramic art. Finds from archaeological sites such as "Mulzam ata", "Monjukdepe-II", "Khandepe" and others compel special interest.
The ethnographic department reflects the way of life, crafts, textile and applied arts of the Turkmen people. Traditional lifestyle items, national costumes, musical instruments and jewelry such as the “bugjama” bracelet and “haram” necklace are presented. These items, dating from the XIII–XIX centuries, continue to be used in local villages, which emphasizes the living connection with the traditions of the past. Nature Department this section presents the unique natural resources of Koitendag: rare plants, animals, minerals and natural objects. Visitors can see samples of flora and fauna, medicinal plants described in the scientific works of the Hero Arkadag, also get acquainted with natural wonders such as dinosaur trails and juniper forests.
The museum fund has more than 6 thousand exhibits, which allows to study the history, ethnography and nature of the region in depth. The constant research work of the staff enriches the museum's collection with new findings, and its popularity among tourists continues to grow. The Koitendag Museum not only preserves the unique heritage of the region, but also becomes a bridge between the past and the future, strengthening the role of Turkmenistan in the world cultural arena.
