The National Museum of History contains major treasures discovered in every part of the country. The most interesting exhibitions are represented by the archeology and ethnography departments. The archeological collection contains very rare works of art from ancient times to the middle ages which have been found on the territory of Turkmenistan. About 500,000 individual items are displayed in this huge museum such as Turkmenistan’s most significant architectural finds from the 20th century; a large number of ancient Turkmen carpets and rugs; examples of national dress and fabrics; traditional household equipment; musical instruments; weapons; jewelry; medals, historical documents, horn-shaped vessels made of ivory, statuettes of Parthian goddesses and Rodoguna, a colorful Buddhist vase representing life and death.
