Salt Museum in Nakhchivan was made use

The Chairman of the Supreme Majlis signed a Decree “On the establishment of Nakhchivan Salt Museum”on September 12, 2017. In the previous time some measures were taken in the direction of execution of the decree, Nakhchivan Salt Museum was established in “Duzdagh” hotel. On April 5 Nakhchivan Salt Museum was  made use.

The Chairman of the Supreme Majlis Vasif Talibov cut the ribbon which is considered the symbol of openning ceremony. The Chairman of National Azerbaijan Sciences Academy, academician Ismayil Hajiyev made a report  and said in the independence years  studing the history of Nakhchivan was started , holding international symposium “Nakhchivan in the international sources” in 1996  was a significant step in this field. The conferences held under the decree of the Chairman of the  Supreme Majlis of NAR  “The prophet Noah, world storm and Nakhchivan”, “Nakhchivan as a first dwelling and townbuilding place” ,” Nakhchivan : an initial city and Duzdagh” and other conferences played an important role in the study of culture , history, natural richness of Nakhchivan. Like in other regions of republic , during the international archaeological expedition implemented in Duzdagh , a great deal of spiritual-cultural examples were revealed, urgent scientific result were acquaired. It was found out that beginning V century BC salt was extracted in  Nakhchivan Duzdagh and it was first recycling experiment of salt in the world. Extraction of salt require preparation of certain tools that, it caused the development of craftsmanship.  One of the effects of salt production is to the salt trade as the result all of it first  Nakhchivan culture developed . Establishing Salt Museum according to the decree  of the Chairman  dated September 12, 2017  is an expression of  great care shown to the history ,culture, natural-cultural values of our people.   

İsmayil Hajiyev expressed his gratitude to the chairman of the Supreme Majlis  on behalf of  the intellectuals and the scientific community for the attention and care shown  the popularization and exploration  of Nakhchivan history. The Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of NAR Vasif Talibov appreciated  the usage process of Salt museum as an important event  and  congratulating the participants  and future visitors  said: The history of  Nakhchivan is connected with the  history of  salt extraction. In order to investigate  Nakhchivan history  it is important to learn the history of  Nakhchivan salt . Because Nakhchivan salt and Duzdagh have a replacable role in the development of Nakhchivan as a city.

5-7 thousand years ago valuable metal and paper money weren’t used in the turnover. Taking into consideration that salt was the only means of turnover it is possible to say that Nakhchivan was formed in the areas where salt was extracted. It enables to come to consclusion  that the establishment of Nakhchivan city  beginning with the extraction of salt  5-7 thousand years ago . It was  also dealt by the historians of foreign countries in their works. Thus, the greek scientist Klavdi Ptolomey (II century), arabian scientist Al-Sharifi (XVI), russian scientist  Konstantin Nikitin (XIX)   and in the following periods, our local historians noted that  the development  of Nakhchivan city is connected with the prophet Noah and salt extraction.

The Chairman said: Up to now a plenty of measures  were taken in the field of  the extraction of Nakhchivan salt and establishment history of Nakhchivan city. The first event was  the international  symposium “Nakhchivan in the international sources” held in 1996. In another international symposium  “Nakhchivan: an initial city  and Duzdagh” some problems connect with Duzdagh culture were discussed and new facts were revealed. In the previous period international conferences connected with Nakhchivan Duzdagh were held , one monography, 9 books and about 80 scientific articles were published. Also various museums  were organized in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. But creating Nakhchivan Salt Museum  has a special importance. If we connect the accomadation  of first people  and development of city culture with the extraction  of salt , then the investigation of Nakhchivan history must begin from that period. The Chairman of the Supreme Majlis  said: Our national leader set up Nakhchivan Department of National Azerbaijan Sciences Academy  with the purpose of  investigation of Nakhchivan history and put forward some urgent duties. Because Nakhchivan history includes the main part of Azerbaijan history. In the previous  time some vital measures were taken, scientific research works were fulfilled in the direction of  investigation of  Nakhchivan history . Investigation works were implemented, exhibits were gathered connected with the history of Nakhchivan salt. These exhibits will be demonstrated   from now on.  It was noted that Nakhchivan salt, not losing its importance  is widely used  in household, industry, nature, in the protect of human  health, different handicrafts are prepared from it.

Thousands of people  treat in Duzdagh Physiotherapy Center every year.Today all these facts show the significance of Nakhchivan salt once more. The main  problem forward is to learn the   history of Nakhchivan salt  and convey to the next generations. That is why  Nakhchivan history must be investigated throughly,  Nakhchivan  Departament  of  NASA ,  suitable state agencies  and scientists must widen the research works in the direction of development of Nakhchivan city connected with salt extraction ,archive documents must be assembled, new books and scientific articles must be written.

          The Chairman thanked  those who are responsible for establishing Nakhchivan Salt Museum and wished them success in their future works. Then the museum was viewed. It was informed that the museum consists of an exposition hall and work rooms. 81 exhibits, including different figures made from salt , the books published about Nakhchivan Duzdagh ,Nakhchivan city, the prophet Noah  and Nakhchivan , newspaper materials edited  about  Duzdagh culture and salt resources, the collections of documents are displayed in the museum. In the exposition  the thoughts of our national leader H.Aliyev  “Each stone, each rock of  Nakhchivan which plays a specific role in the political, economical, cultural,and scientific life of Azerbaijan is a lively witness of history”  and the president  Ilham Aliyev’s thought  “Duzdagh which is one of the wonderful  places of Nakhchivan keeps secrets of history in each inch.” were given place.

          Nakhchivan is rich in beliefs and traditions about salt. Different folklore examples on salt are displayed in the museum. The stone  tools , stone hammers and hatchets, salt sacks, salt-cellars made from earthenware and clay, stone mortar and pestles, axes, salt crystals, carsit and salt rocks reflect ancient history  and cultural potential of Nakhchivan in the exposition. These tools that have been used in the mine of  Duzdagh and are demonstrated in the museums at present    proove that the traditions of craftsmanship developed in Nakhchivan from ancient times. “The Koran” written “Muhammed Ali” on its cover made from salt is an expression of great esteem to the salt. There are salt sacks in the row of valuable exhibits which were once used to keep and carry salt. These sacks belong mainly to the previous century and inform about the development of weaving in Azerbaijan, especially in Nakhchivan. Handicrafts made from rock salt, the description of state flag of Azerbaijan Republic are interesting exhibits of the museum. Nakhchivan was selected the capital of Islamic culture in 2018. The logotype prepared in connection  with it reflects specific symbols of Nakhchivan. The statue of the prophet Noah was erected in the centre considering its connection with Duzdagh and Nakhchivan city.

The Chairman of the Supreme Majlis gave instructions about organizing archaeological excavations connected with Nakhchivan salt by Nakhchivan Department of NASA holding conferences on Duzdagh culture, demonstration of information about composition of Nakhchivan salt, organization of sales of handicrafts made from salt by craftsmen of Nakhchivan.

                                     Press Service of the Supreme Majlis of

                                     Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic