Petroglyph. Photo: cisc.uz
The Pre-Islamic Hall of the museum at the Center of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent has opened an exhibition dedicated to rock carvings from the Sarmishsay and Karangungorsay valleys in the Nurata Mountains, the Center’s press service reported.
The drawings are presented as copies and reconstructions and are included in the section devoted to the pre-Islamic era on the territory of Uzbekistan.
According to archaeologists, more than ten thousand images have been preserved in Sarmishsay. The rocks feature hunting scenes, depictions of animals, human figures, and symbols. The first descriptions of the petroglyphs appeared in the 19th century, while systematic research began in the 20th century. Archaeologist Khabib Mukhamedov made a significant contribution to their study.
The Center of Islamic Civilization was built next to the Khast-Imam complex. The building is designed in the style of medieval architectural monuments, with four portals each 34 meters high and a central dome 65 meters tall. It houses a Quran Hall, a 460-seat conference hall, and a museum whose exhibitions cover the history of Uzbekistan from pre-Islamic times to the present day. The Center is intended as a platform for the study and contemporary interpretation of the nation’s heritage, in cooperation with the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan and educational and research centers worldwide.
