The Merv Oasis is one of the key monuments of world civilisation, a unique archaeological complex where, for more than five thousand years, cities have successively emerged, reflecting the development of humanity from early agriculture to the era of empires. This was reported by the IIC.

The phenomenon of ‘wandering cities’ associated with changes in the course of the Murgab River has turned Merv into a kind of open-air museum.

The sites of the Ancient Merv Reserve, included in the UNESCO list, occupy an important place in the cultural policy of Turkmenistan. Archaeological discoveries by Viktor Sarianidi, Mikhail Masson and other scientists have confirmed the global significance of the region as a centre of Bronze Age civilisation.

Today, the preservation and international presentation of this heritage are seen as the basis of cultural diplomacy and a symbol of the continuity of the country's historical development.