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October 10, 2008

Inauguration of the Gala Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum Complex was held

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva attended the opening ceremony of Archeological-Ethnographic Museum Complex in Gala settlement near Baku on October 10. 

 

The President and First Lady were warmly met by residents of Gala settlement, presented flowers by a boy and a girl in national costume.

 

The President cut the ribbon symbolizing official opening of the complex.

 

The project implemented at the initiative of President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, MP Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva is designed to preserve historic past of Azerbaijan and turn the country to one of the world’s most attractive tourism centers. The complex was mounted in the area of the Gala History-Ethnography State Preserve created here as early as 1988. Covering an area of 156 hectares, the preserve contains burial mounds, crypts, dwelling houses as well as 4 storage pools, ruins of an ancient palace, 5 mosques and 3 bath-houses dating back to a period between 3rd millennium BC and 20th century. To safeguard these monuments, enrich the preserve with archeological findings discovered in Absheron the first outdoor archeological-ethnographic museum complex was created here in 2008 due to support of Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The museum complex itself is 2 hectares in area and stores rock paintings, weapons, ceramics, jewelry and other unique exhibits dating back to a period from 3rd and 2nd millennium BC to the Middle Ages.

 

President Ilham Aliyev saw previous and present view of the area where the complex is located, plan of Gala village designed in 1916 and 1938, scheme of roads leading to the village, pictures of archeological-ethnographic monuments in Absheron, Gala and Mardakan castles of XIII-XIV centuries, ancient dwelling houses, mosques, temples, fortresses, castles, cemeteries in Buzovna, Shagan, Zira and Turkan villages.

 

Executive Director of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Anar Elekberov informed of establishment of the museum complex and photographs.

 

The first couple toured the complex, familiarized themselves with exhibits.

 

Director of the Gala History-Ethnography State Preserve Fikret Abdullayev informed Azerbaijan, one of the most ancient habitations, is rich with archeological sites and tangible-cultural monuments. Absheron Peninsula is of special importance for historical monuments. There are 215 architectural and archeological monuments in Gala settlement which is in the northeast of Absheron and adjoining territory. Study of monuments started in the 60s last century. Images on rocks are quite interesting in themes such hunting, sacrificing a human being, marriage, astronomic symbols, geometrical figures. Anthropomorphous statues in Dubandi, Turkan barrows are identified some experts with God of Death. These barrows are rich sources to study burial monuments and tangible and intangible culture of ancient Azerbaijan tribes.

 

President Aliyev said Gobustan is very famous inside and outside the country. Because it is preserve. But such a site in Gala settlement is the vestige of our ancient culture indicating ancient habitations. It must constantly operate as a museum.

 

The museum complex includes pottery workshops – one of the most ancient trades in Azerbaijan.

 

President Ilham Aliyev was familiarized with Gavaldash, plan of ancient monuments such as Shuvalan, Agdash Plain, Khashakhuna, Zira, ancient wedding place, model of merchant’s house, Gala sheep, camels, findings discovered during archeological excavations in Dubandi and other territories.  


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