The Ancient Merv project was established in March 2001. This project has now entered a third five-year (2011-2015) collaboration between the Institute of Archaeology, UCL and the State Historical and Cultural Park Ancient Merv and the National Department for the Protection, Study and Restoration of Historical and Cultural Monuments within the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan. The Ancient Merv project is directed by Tim Williams (Institute of Archaeology, UCL) and Dr Mukhammed Mamedov (National Department for the Protection, Study and Restoration of Historical and Cultural Monuments within the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan). It is supported by the assistant directors Dr Gabriele Puschnigg (Institute of Archaeology, UCL), Paul Wordsworth (University of Copenhagen), Dr Leslee Michelsen (Qatar Museums Authority) and Gaigysyz Joraev (Institute of Archaeology, UCL). The project in undertaken in collaboration with Rejeb Dzaparov, Director of the ‘Ancient Merv’ Archaeological Park. The current involvement is concerned with the complex conservation and management issues posed by this remarkable site, furthering our understanding of the site through archaeological research, and disseminating the results of the work to the widest possible audience.