DUSHANBE, January 21, 2009, Asia-Plus — Wednesday January 21, Mr. Yoshihiro Nakayama, Chargé D’Affaires, the Embassy of Japan in Dushanbe, and Mr. Rahim Masov, Director of the Institute of History, Archeology and Ethnography of the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan are signing a contract concerning the Cultural Grassroots Grant Aid of the Government of Japan for the project for the Improvement of the Equipment for Preservation of the Institute of History, Archeology and Ethnography, press release issues by the Japanese Embassy said.
Since 2001 the National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan under the Institute of History, Archeology and Ethnography is open to the public, providing a unique opportunity to get familiar with the ancient Tajik history and culture. More than hundred thousand archeological findings, referred to all historical periods from the Stone Age to the late Medieval are displayed at the Museum. Among the Museum’s expositions of special value are the findings from the Buddhist Monastery Ajina-Teppa and most popular is the 13-m long statue of Buddha in Nirvana, dated VII-VIII centuries A.D.
Despite the efforts made in collecting and thoroughly preserving ancient artifacts, the Antiquities Museum faces certain difficulties to store its collection in adequate conditions. In 2003 under its Cultural Grant Aid the Government of Japan allocated 45,900,000 Japanese Yen (equivalent to about US$460,000) for the supply of presentation equipment to the National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan. Considering that and with the aim of further contributing to the enhancement of the Museum’s technical base, the Government of Japan made a decision to allocate for the Museum additional US$ 87,867 Grant Aid. The named project for the Improvement of the Equipment for Preservation of the Institute of History, Archeology and Ethnography will be implemented for one year and upon completion will ensure better preservation of historical and cultural exhibits and more opportunities for further archeological works and restoration.
