A new museum of local history was inaugurated in the administrative center of Balkan province of Turkmenistan. The museum describes the history and archeology, ethnography, art, nature and attractions of the western region of the country.
Topped with a sharp spire, the new three-storey building of the museum is decorated with white marble and color granite as well as colorful windows and columns. There are also fountains and a square in the territory of the museum.
The museum’s funds keep some tens of thousands of artifacts – monuments of history, art and culture of the Turkmen people. All rooms have been equipped with special air conditioning and ventilation systems in order to protect artifacts from sunlight, excessive moisture and other harmful influences.
The history and archaeology room of the museum displays a rich collection of artifacts, ancient works of art and medieval pottery, tools of agriculture. The dioramas depict places inhabited by primitive people found in the territory of Balkan province – the caves of Dam-Dam Cheshme and Jebel. Among the unique items is a stone with clearly imprinted camel track aged two and a half million years.
The opening ceremony of the new building was attended by President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. He expressed confidence that the museum will contribute to the spiritual rebirth of the nation, the development of museums, study, preservation and popularization of the rich cultural heritage of the Turkmen people.
