ALDAN-MAADYR REGIONAL MUSEUM

The prehistoric section displays finds from the region, including Neolithic and Bronze Age ceramics with simple geometric ornaments. The Scythian period is represented by works of animal art in the Scytho-Siberian style, as well as stone stelae, known as "reindeer stones", and weapons. From ancient Turkish art (6th-7th centuries), the museum preserves very expressive statues of men carved in stone. Among the remains of the sites, from the 7th to 9th centuries, unearthed in the valleys of the Ulug-Khem, Khemchic and Chadaan rivers, there are numerous anthropomorphic wooden statuettes and metal objects. The Uighur and Kyrgyz periods are represented by iron objects engraved and inlaid with gold, silver and bronze. The remains of the site of the Por-Bajyne fortress on the island of Lake Tere-Khol date from the Uighur period. The museum also presents an exhibition of 7th century wooden and agalmatolite objects (toys, chess and sculptures). Among other curiosities, there is a felt yurt (kugucër) with a wire-framed frame. The cosy interior is decorated with quilted geometrically patterned carpets, polychrome patterned beds, wooden chests, crockery and household utensils. In the past, the yurt was divided in two, with the left side for men and the right side for women.