“We want to learn about new archaeological methods”
Aydogdy Kurbanov, Turkmen visiting researcher at the Eurasian Department of the German Archaeological Institute (DAI) in Berlin
“Although an entire period of the early Middle Ages in Central Asia is named after them, the history of the Hephthalites has still not yet been adequately researched. I have set myself the goal of recording all the sources and publications about them and am attempting to compile a new comprehensive register of this people in order to present thereby also a new perspective on the early medieval history of Turkmenistan and its neighbouring countries. The opportunity to discuss this with colleagues at the German Archaeological Institute, many of whom work in Central Asia, to familiarize myself with their research approaches and methodology as well as to conduct research in German archives and libraries has been of fundamental assistance. I would like to pass on a lot of the knowledge I have acquired here to people in my own country. At present my country only has a few archaeologists, which is why training is so important. We particularly want to learn about the very new archaeological methods that have been developed and applied at the DAI.”
Aydogdy Kurbanov answers three questions
Mr. Kurbanov, what do the Humboldt scholarship and the research facilities at the German Archaeological Institute mean to you?
There is hardly any information about the historical sources and the archaeological finds from the Hephthalite period in the libraries of Turkmenistan. There would be practically no chance of working and completing a doctorate on my subject there. That’s why my stay in Germany is so important for me. The working conditions in the Eurasian Department of the DAI are everything you could want: guesthouse, internet access, library – everything is there.
Where does your passion for archaeology come from and how did your contact with Germany come about?
My father made a major contribution to that. When I was a small boy, he often took me to Nisa. The city is not far from Ashgabat and was once the capital city of the Parthians. We used to spend hours watching the excavations, which I found incredibly exciting. Then, at the age of 14, I knew precisely what career I wanted to pursue. In 1993 I began studying history and the archaeology of Central Asia at university in Ashgabat. In 2003 I had the opportunity as a DAAD scholarship-holder to come to the DAI in Berlin for the first time, which was still under the supervision of the founding director of the Eurasian Department and the then DAI president Professor Hermann Parzinger. Afterwards I remained in contact with the DAI.
How do you find Germany?
Perhaps I notice it especially because I’m a historian: Germany is full of diversity and difference – the culture, the people and their dialects. I have visited many towns – Hamburg, Dresden and all the smaller towns around Berlin. In Berlin I’m particularly attracted by the museums. However, my favourite places are the city’s parks and gardens – the Charlottenburg Schlosspark, for example. And I like the Spandau Citadel.
Last updated 31.10.2009
