Statuette
of Mother-goddess. Altyn-Depe. Ceramics. 2 millenium BC |
Ancient history hall includes a collection silicon working tools of
Mesolithic period (50 thousand BC) discovered on the site of former primordial people
camps in Western Turkmenistan. The neolithic ceramics and ornaments from camps and the
first human settlements along foothills of Kopet Dagh. There are also prominent works of
archaic sculpture made of clay and metals, rare minerals and bone, withnessing high level
of development of early agricultural civilizations of Jeitun, Altyn Depe, Namazga Depe,
Anau etc. They constitute the northern complex of ancient oriental culture, well known due
to Babylon and Assiria. Special place in the hall is occupied by Margiana - unique
civilization of bronze age discovered by archaeologists in the Karacum desert northwards
of the town of Bairamaly, where about 3 thousand years ago fertile delta of Murghab river
was located. There were great number of settlements with powerful fortresses monumental
sanctuaries. The true documents of that epoch are multiple seal-amulets made of stone
copper and bronze with depiction decor, ornaments, cult objects, most of which true
masterpieces of ancient art. |
Margiana. Ancient
fort Gonur. Diaram in the museum.
Ritual bowl. Margiana. South Turkmenistan. Ceramics. 2 millenium BC |