National Museum of Mauritania, National museum in Nouakchott, Mauritania.
The National Museum of Mauritania occupies a two-story building with galleries displaying archaeological objects, traditional attire, and historical documents from different periods. The collections span from ancient times through later centuries, arranged to guide visitors through the region's past.
The museum was founded in 1972 with assistance from China and preserves artifacts from Mousterian, Aterian, and Neolithic periods. Key archaeological sites like Koumbi Saleh and Aoudaghost contributed significantly to these collections.
The ethnographic collections show traditional craftsmanship through clay objects, metalwork, and textiles that represent different Mauritanian societies. Visitors can observe the materials and techniques that shaped daily life across these communities.
The building houses the Mauritanian Institute of Scientific Research, the Manuscripts Conservation Centre, and the National Library alongside the museum. Visitors should allow time to explore multiple sections since collections are distributed across different areas.
The museum displays tenth-century Arabic scales and polished shale tools that reveal how ancient people measured and manufactured items. These objects offer rare insights into practical aspects of daily life in earlier times.
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