Richness and Splendor of Native Land

Perhaps, every person ever collected stones of fanciful shape, admired landscapes in mountains and thought about the secrets hidden in the bowels of the land he walked. Unfortunately, the subterranean wealth is beyond the ordinary human’s contemplation. The Geology Museum of the State Committee for Geology and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan was opened in 1988 to popularize knowledge in geology.

One of the globe’s unique museums numbers over 3,200 exhibits and shares the century-old history of the geological evolution on the planet, and Central Asia in particular. It graphically represents various theories of origination and formation of the Earth entailed with general space and geological processes, as well as dwells on all historical stages of crust’s evolution.

The exposition of historical geology and paleontology is, perhaps, the most interesting site as it is represented by unique findings comprising the fauna and flora remains from the native land and neighboring territories. The skeleton of a prokheneosaur (a group of platypus dinosaurs) draws a visitors’ attention. It was found in the 60-es last century, 45 kilometers away from Tashkent. One can also examine petrified remains of ancient fauna, or a trace of carnozaur, a predatory dinosaur.

The exposition of natural resources, mineralogy and geochemistry occupied the biggest area. The exhibits characterizing the mines development in the republic are assigned a special place. The eye is drawn by druses of a rock crystal and gypsum (the so-called Sahara’s rose) embodying a boundless nature’s fantasy in their queer shapes.

“There is no a single bit of soil in Uzbekistan that wouldn’t contain natural resources. The wealth of the Earth is not only in precious minerals, but also in ordinary limestone and sand,” says Rustam Yusupov, the museum’s chief custodian and scientist, acting member of New York Academy of Sciences. “Renowned geologists and researchers of our country collected rich collection materials for over 75 years of activity of geological service of Uzbekistan. Now they showcast the history.”

A visitor can see that with his own eyes: mineral resources of Uzbekistan are represented by numerous specimen of gold quartz, natural copper ore, lead ore, potassium salt, bauxite, cinnabar, ochre, sulphur, phosphorites, hot slate stones, oil, natural gas, coal, and many others.

Besides exhibiting activity, the Geology Museum is actively promoting the care of natural resources and geo-ecology. This is the aim of the Young Geologist circle operating since 2008. Museum workers and specialists in geology educate worthy successors. Along with that, scientific and enlightenment activity and training of qualified personnel takes a special part in the museum’s activity. More than 60,000 schoolchildren visited it last year alone.

Various exhibitions, presentations of mineral and natural potential of Uzbekistan are held on the museum’s basis. Its staff takes part in geological expeditions throughout the republic assisting with production enterprises.