The Place of Southern Uzbekistan's Archaeological Collections in the Funds of the Samarkand State Museum-Reserve

Authors

  • Eshpulotov Suhrob Independent Researcher, Museum of History of Uzbekistan, Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51699/cajssh.v7i2.1371

Keywords:

Samarkand State Museum-Reserve, Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya, Southern Uzbekistan, archaeological collections, Sopollitepa, Jarqo’ton, Ancient Termez, Yerqo’rg’on, Qoratepa, Kofirtepa, Oqsaroy, Timurid period, museum funds, exhibition, craftsmanship, urban culture

Abstract

This article analyzes the composition, historical and cultural significance, and exhibition potential of the archaeological collections from the Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya Provinces stored in the funds of the Samarkand State Museum-Reserve. These collections constitute an important body of material sources illuminating the uninterrupted historical development of Southern Uzbekistan from the Eneolithic period through the 19th century. The article examines, on a chronological and typological basis, the artifacts associated with Chimqo’rg’on, Sopollitepa, Jarqo’ton, Pishaktepa, Yerqo’rg’on, Ancient Termez, Zartepa, Polvontepa, Sho’rtepa, To’g’aytepa, Qoratepa, Kofirtepa, Oqsaroy, Gumbazi Sayyidon, Sultan Saodat, and the Yakkabog’ madrasa. The study reveals the role of these collections in illuminating early civilization, urban development, craftsmanship, religious rites, Islamic-period culture, Timurid-era architecture, and the religious-educational centers of the khanate period. The article also substantiates the possibilities of creating thematic exhibitions, using 3D reconstructions, historical maps, and interactive museum technologies on the basis of the collections.

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Published

2026-04-20

How to Cite

Suhrob, E. . (2026). The Place of Southern Uzbekistan’s Archaeological Collections in the Funds of the Samarkand State Museum-Reserve. Central Asian Journal of Social Sciences and History, 7(2), 312–318. https://doi.org/10.51699/cajssh.v7i2.1371

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