Restoration of Murals of the National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan

Abstract

The paper analyses traditional and modern methods and technologies for preservation and restoration of wall paintings found through archaeological excavations in the Republic of Tajikistan. Medieval monuments such as the ancient Panjekent, Bundzhikat, Adzhina-Tepa and others gave a variety of works of pictorial art, including unique monumental paintings, the preservation of which presents a priority task for scientists, restorers and art experts. These artefacts are exposed in the State Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg), the National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan, the Republican Museum of History and Local Lore of Rudaki in Penjikent and the National Museum of Tajikistan. The paintings portray diverse and interrelated household, mythological, religious and epic plots, battle scenes, scenes of feasts and hunting, as well as geometrical, vegetable, and zoomorphic motives. The study of these paintings helps scientists to study in detail the medieval history of Tajik people. Therefore, their preservation is the primary task of the corresponding experts. The paper is based on personal experience of the author in preservation and restoration of monumental paintings within international projects on preservation of cultural heritage of Tajik people.