Archaeological research at SamSU
One of the scientific centers of Central Asia that has been conducting field archaeological
work in the Zeravshan Valley and southern Uzbekistan since 1947 is the Faculty of History
of Samarkand State University, which has left its mark on the archeology of the region. Longterm
scientific research of the Department of Archeology (more than 40 monuments) made
it possible to discover previously unknown new cultures of the era of stone, paleometal,
antiquity and the Middle Ages, to identify the process of cultural genesis of the civilizations
of Sogd and Bactria. The archaeological heritage of the Central Asian interfluve reflects the
chronicle and lost pages of the history and culture of the peoples of Uzbekistan.
work in the Zeravshan Valley and southern Uzbekistan since 1947 is the Faculty of History
of Samarkand State University, which has left its mark on the archeology of the region. Longterm
scientific research of the Department of Archeology (more than 40 monuments) made
it possible to discover previously unknown new cultures of the era of stone, paleometal,
antiquity and the Middle Ages, to identify the process of cultural genesis of the civilizations
of Sogd and Bactria. The archaeological heritage of the Central Asian interfluve reflects the
chronicle and lost pages of the history and culture of the peoples of Uzbekistan.
Museum of Archaeology
at the Samarkand State University
at the Samarkand State University
The revival of the historical chronicle of Uzbekistan
The Samarkand University’s Archaeological Museum is an invaluable
resource integrated into the research and educational process. Its
collections are widely known not only to specialists, but also to lovers
of the ancient history of Central Asia and Europe. Although the
collections of antiquities are mainly represented by monuments from
our region, it was connected to areas far outside the territory of presentday
Uzbekistan. For over 50 years, the museum has accumulated an
interesting, unique collection of archaeological materials that cover
the history of Uzbekistan from the Palaeolithic to the Middle Ages. The
exhibited items are divided into sections according to thematic and
chronological principles and the principles of archaeological periodisation, which facilitates
the conceptual perception of the region’s history. The design of the museum was developed
in accordance with its location in the research and educational centre, and therefore it was
aimed at students.
resource integrated into the research and educational process. Its
collections are widely known not only to specialists, but also to lovers
of the ancient history of Central Asia and Europe. Although the
collections of antiquities are mainly represented by monuments from
our region, it was connected to areas far outside the territory of presentday
Uzbekistan. For over 50 years, the museum has accumulated an
interesting, unique collection of archaeological materials that cover
the history of Uzbekistan from the Palaeolithic to the Middle Ages. The
exhibited items are divided into sections according to thematic and
chronological principles and the principles of archaeological periodisation, which facilitates
the conceptual perception of the region’s history. The design of the museum was developed
in accordance with its location in the research and educational centre, and therefore it was
aimed at students.
History of the Museum of Archaeology at Samarkand State University (SamSU)
David Natanovich Lev
The origins of museum are associated with the first archaeological studies made by the
university in 1947 under the supervision of D. N. Lev. In 1963, he initiated the establishment
of an archaeology room for the prehistoric culture of Uzbekistan. Later, in 1967, the room
was used as a basis for the foundation of the «Problematic laboratory for the historical
and archaeological study of the Afrasiab site», which was headed by M. D. Jurakulov.
D. N. Lev, E. N. Amartseva, M. D. Jurakulov, N. A. Avanesova and archaeology students of
the Faculty of History contributed to a considerable expansion of information resources.
university in 1947 under the supervision of D. N. Lev. In 1963, he initiated the establishment
of an archaeology room for the prehistoric culture of Uzbekistan. Later, in 1967, the room
was used as a basis for the foundation of the «Problematic laboratory for the historical
and archaeological study of the Afrasiab site», which was headed by M. D. Jurakulov.
D. N. Lev, E. N. Amartseva, M. D. Jurakulov, N. A. Avanesova and archaeology students of
the Faculty of History contributed to a considerable expansion of information resources.
The archaeologist D. N. Lev, the discoverer of unique Stone Age monuments in Uzbekistan,
played a special role. A researcher from the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnology under
the USSR Academy of Sciences in Leningrad (1931-1942), he systematised the inventorying
and storage of the exhibits in the archaeology room. The exhibition strategy was based on
the reconstruction of the specificities of archaeological sites in the region through material
objects they yielded.
The materials accumulated by the staff of the Department of Archaeology and the students of
the Faculty of History at the Samarkand State University through stationary and exploratory
archaeological research on the territory of the Central Asian Interfluve were used in 2001
as a basis to open the Archaeological Educational and Production Laboratory at the
Samarkand State University, which became one of the university’s research and educational
centres. The exhibited collection was revised to reconstruct the historical past of the peoples
of Uzbekistan. These activities were accompanied by regular expeditions contributing to
a continuous growth of the collection, which currently encompasses materials from 40
archaeological complexes. Most of them have been studied in a laboratory, while others
consist of items collected for preservation or research purposes. By the time of the issuing
of the catalogue, the holdings consist of more than 60,000 items reflecting the history of the
region from ancient times to the early 13th century AD.
The museum artefacts are a valuable information resource which, when studied and
analysed using up-to-date technologies, turns into an important source of knowledge about
the history of Uzbekistan. They cover almost all historical periods from the Palaeolithic to
antiquity. In addition, the exhibits include interesting items from the archaeological site of
Afrasiab, which tell about the history of Samarkand. The articles on display also include
most valuable numismatic collections and treasures. The exhibits collected in the museum
form the national historical, cultural, and artistic heritage of Uzbekistan and are widely
used in research and lectures. The historical and archaeological evidence carefully collected
and studied for many decades served a foundation for the approval of Regulations on the
Museum of Archaeology by the Academic Council of the Samarkand State University on 26
September, 2022. Prior to that, the museum did not have a legal status and financial support.
played a special role. A researcher from the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnology under
the USSR Academy of Sciences in Leningrad (1931-1942), he systematised the inventorying
and storage of the exhibits in the archaeology room. The exhibition strategy was based on
the reconstruction of the specificities of archaeological sites in the region through material
objects they yielded.
The materials accumulated by the staff of the Department of Archaeology and the students of
the Faculty of History at the Samarkand State University through stationary and exploratory
archaeological research on the territory of the Central Asian Interfluve were used in 2001
as a basis to open the Archaeological Educational and Production Laboratory at the
Samarkand State University, which became one of the university’s research and educational
centres. The exhibited collection was revised to reconstruct the historical past of the peoples
of Uzbekistan. These activities were accompanied by regular expeditions contributing to
a continuous growth of the collection, which currently encompasses materials from 40
archaeological complexes. Most of them have been studied in a laboratory, while others
consist of items collected for preservation or research purposes. By the time of the issuing
of the catalogue, the holdings consist of more than 60,000 items reflecting the history of the
region from ancient times to the early 13th century AD.
The museum artefacts are a valuable information resource which, when studied and
analysed using up-to-date technologies, turns into an important source of knowledge about
the history of Uzbekistan. They cover almost all historical periods from the Palaeolithic to
antiquity. In addition, the exhibits include interesting items from the archaeological site of
Afrasiab, which tell about the history of Samarkand. The articles on display also include
most valuable numismatic collections and treasures. The exhibits collected in the museum
form the national historical, cultural, and artistic heritage of Uzbekistan and are widely
used in research and lectures. The historical and archaeological evidence carefully collected
and studied for many decades served a foundation for the approval of Regulations on the
Museum of Archaeology by the Academic Council of the Samarkand State University on 26
September, 2022. Prior to that, the museum did not have a legal status and financial support.
D. N. Lev in the Aman-Kutan cave
D. N. Lev making archaeological research
