In 2018, the Anokhin National Museum of Gorno-Altaysk will celebrate its centenary. More than one generation of museum workers painstakingly worked on replenishing collections, preparing and displaying exhibitions and interesting, meaningful exhibitions. The museum not only takes care of the rarities and artifacts found at different periods of time, but also promotes the historical and cultural heritage of Gorny Altai.
From the history of the museum
The actual opening date of the museum is considered to be 1920, but the history of the museum began with the acquisition in 1918 of a large collection of minerals and artifacts collected by researchers from Altai Gulyaev. Now the museum Ford in its vaults has a large number of materials relating to the excavation of mounds and the Ukok plateau, the works of the artist Choros-Gurkin, manuscripts and manuscript books dating from the XVII - XX centuries are exhibited. There are paleontological collections in the museum. The Gorno-Altaysk Museum has unique exhibits and is considered one of the most modern in Russia.
The first head of the museum was the ethnographer A.V. Anokhin. In 1990, his name was given to the museum, and in 2002, the former regional museum of Gorno-Altaisk became known as the national museum. Two years later, the proposed plan for the reconstruction of the museum, which took place from 2008 to 2012, was considered. Additional facilities were required for the storage facility, which was done during the restoration. After restoration, the museum acquired a new look.
Museum expositions and departments
The museum has collected materials and decorated in the exhibition, telling about the nature of the region and its ancient history. The material on ethnography and the Ukok plateau complex is widely represented . Submitted material on modern history and art.
In total, the museum has about 66 thousand storage units, about 15 thousand exhibits of archaeological finds, has materials of the paleontological site of man discovered in the territory of modern Gorno-Altaysk. The departments of the museum are engaged in the preparation of materials for exhibitions and expositions, scientific and research work, ethnography and cultural and educational work. The museum has a scientific library and a department of funds.
Nature and fauna of Altai
Nature is represented by several rooms which tell about the unique landscape of the Altai Mountains, lakes (7000 lakes), waterfalls, rivers, karst caves (430 caves). Today, mountain Altai is one of the regions that has preserved nature in its original form. From the museum’s exposition you can learn about the geological history of Altai Mountains, minerals and rocks, the ancient flora and fauna of the Region.
Water resources are presented in the museum of Gorno-Altaysk on photos and maps. The hydrographic network totals more than 20 thousand streams and lakes. Museum visitors can familiarize themselves with the climate and topography features. Of particular interest to visitors is always an artificial waterfall and stuffed fish living in the waters of the Altai Mountains: taimen, Teletsk whitefish, grayling, and shuka.
In the department of nature, visitors can get acquainted with the inhabitants of the fauna of the republic. Among the museum expanses in the scarecrows and the photo shows species of mammals (more than 70 species), birds (more than 300 species) and 10 species of amphibians and reptiles.
Altai Ethnography
The Anokhin Museum in Gorno-Altaysk in its halls has collected a unique collection of cult objects of peoples living in Altai, such as shamanistic tambourines and atrebuts of everyday life. Indigenous people: Telengits, Tubalars, Chelkans, Kumandins, have a distinctive culture. Here, visitors will learn about the traditional tamga signs of the seoks, which tell about the institution of the clan. Most of the exposition presents the traditional clothes of Altai, Kumandy, Teleuts. There are materials telling about the religion of the Altai people “ak yang” (white faith). The heroic epic by which the layer of Altai culture was reconstructed is also presented.
The art exposition is proud of a large collection of paintings that were donated to the museum by the Altai artist Choros-Gurkin. "Khan Altai" and "Lake of Mountain Spirits" are its most famous Kratins. In total, the museum stores more than 3 thousand paintings.
Ukok Plateau Complex
A special place in the museum is given to the exposition of the Ukok plateau complex . During archaeological excavations, a rich layer of Altai culture was discovered. The sensation was the well-preserved body of a young woman, found in the permafrost of the Ak-Alakh burial mound. She was given the name Ukok "princess". She lay on her side, legs curled up, as in a dream, and arms crossed on her stomach. In the burial ground there were also six horses in harness. On the body of the "princess" was a rich tattoo.
The mummy was placed in a sarcophagus located in a special room of the Gorno-Altaysk Museum. There is no access to the mummy. She is not put on public display, but the hall has an exhibit of reconstruction of the funeral complex with all the ritual accessories. The acoustic system installed in the hall of the mausoleum exposition reproduces the sounds of nature: wind, animal screams, birds chirping.
Modern history
In the twelfth century, Altai Mountains has changed a lot. The museum displays on display the main milestones of this period from the 1917 revolution to the present. Residents of the Altai Mountains were participants in all the events taking place at this time. Various periods have been documented on museum stands: an attempt to create a democratic governing body represented by the Altai Mountain Duma, the allocation of the Altai Mountains to the county, the formation of the Oirot Autonomous Region and, finally, the formation of the Gorno-Altai Autonomous Region.
Now the Altai Republic is developing, branches are being modernized, and the constant updating of the exposition, which tells about changes in the region’s public life, makes it possible for everyone to get acquainted with the latest news.
The opening hours of the museum in Gorno-Altaysk depend on the time of year. in summer, its doors are open from Wednesday to Saturday from 10 am to 19, on Sunday the museum is open until 18 hours. The rest of the year, the museum closes an hour earlier. The museum has two days off: Monday and Tuesday. Finding a museum in Gorno-Altaysk is very easy. It is one and a half blocks from the bus station.