10.11.2023 - 11.11.2023 | Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
The International Scientific Conference "Archaeological and Ethnographical science in Turkmenistan in the Epoch of New Revival and Great Changes: Accomplishments and Future Goals" took place in Ashgabat on November 10-11, 2010.The Conference became a regular scientific forum, summarizing specific results of archaeological and historical researches in the country. The President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, greeted participants and guests of the conference in his opening address. The Turkmen leader sincerely congratulated participants on the opening of the conference in Turkmenistan – a country with old history, rich traditions having millennial sources and at present experiencing an "Epoch of New Revival and Great Changes". He expressed confidence that the work of the conference would be effective for the advancement of new scientific ideas in the context of the historical development of Turkmenistan and ancient civilizations of the world, discussion of such vital tasks of archaeological and historical science, as preservation, study and reconstruction of ancient historical and cultural monuments reaching present times.
The interest of internationals scientists in the rich historical and cultural heritage of Turkmenistan, which regularly becomes the place of new archaeological findings, ancient monuments and discoveries, increases day by day. This fact attracts more and more attention of scientists from other states. An International Scientific Conference titled “Ancient Margiana – new center of the world civilization” was held in November 2006 in one of the ancient cities of Central Asian – Mary (Merv). This conference was based on archaeological findings made by the head of the international scientific and archaeological expedition that worked in Margiana, well-known scientist, Professor Victor Sarianidi. Scientists from 20 countries of the world, namely the USA, Russia, Germany, France, India, Turkey, Kazakhstan and other countries took part in the conference.
The international scientific forum held in Ashgabat on November 10-11, 2010 has gathered notable scientists from 32 countries of the world, which evidences growing interest to historical and cultural heritage of Turkmenistan. Among participants are representatives from the USA, Russia, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, France, Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, India, Peru, Mexico, Korea, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Lithuania, Uzbekistan and other states. Among the participants were many scientists, who carry out excavations in the territory of Turkmenistan together with their Turkmen colleagues. Representatives of European Universities were also among the guests. For example, Martin Wagner, an archaeologist from Warsaw University, who has been taking part in archaeological expeditions in Turkmenistan for 10 years. Being a student he took part in excavations in the Sarahs district and in Mele heyran settlement, where the Shrine of Fire was discovered. In 2007 and 2008 Martin Wagner headed an expedition to Sarahs Oasis, where over hundred monuments, mostly belonging to the Islamic period, were documented. Since 2009, Polish archaeologists started excavations in Topaz Kala-depe, about seven kilometers from Serahs, which is the monument-concomitant in the large monument of district Serahs of Oyukly-depe. Basic lifting materials and findings from pledged perforation allow scientists to suppose, that the monument was dated to the 1st millennium AD. All works are in the initial stage, but there are always interesting findings, and most of them are ceramic.
Another scientist, American archaeologist Susan Pollock, told about results of her first excavations in Turkmenistan, in Mondjukly-depe in Altyn Asyr district of Ahal province, where ceramic items of the epoch of eneolyte and bronze were found.
Thus, the conference became a place of lively exchanges of opinions, ideas and discussions while creating great perspectives for the future.
Source: known to the editor
