On March 25, 2026, the Presidium building of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) in Moscow hosted the opening of the international scientific conference “Margiana at the Crossroads of Civilizations: Intercultural Interaction in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Middle East – Past and Present.” The forum was timed to coincide with the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Independence.
A delegation from Turkmenistan arrived in the Russian capital to participate in the conference, including representatives from the National Administration for the Protection, Study, and Restoration of Historical and Cultural Monuments of Turkmenistan, the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan, and the State Historical and Cultural Reserve “Ancient Merw”.
The opening of the scientific meeting was preceded by an exhibition showcasing Turkmenistan’s rich historical and cultural heritage, highlighting the colorfulness and multifaceted nature of the authentic traditional customs of the Turkmen people.
The conference continued with thematic discussions dedicated to one of the most remarkable and still not fully explored mysteries of Eastern civilizations – the land of Margiana, renowned for its unique monuments and sensational archaeological discoveries.
Several presentations at the forum focused specifically on Gonurdepe – the capital of ancient Marguş – and on important scientific discoveries of global significance.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan
