Kirish asosiy qism: tarixiy-madaniy turizm haqida

AFRASIAB MUSEUM

1	Afrasiab – great archeological site, it informs about ancient ruins of Samarkand city. The settlement arose in the VIII-VII centuries BC and occupied 219 hectares. Recently, archeologists found out 11 cultural levels. It displays 2100 years of historical – cultural process of Samarkand. River bluffs on the north and east, deep ravines in the south and west protected the city, which you can see their ruins now too. Archeological finds of Afrasiab is situated at the eastern part of the city. Afrasiab archeological museum was established on the 24^th of October 1970.	General information in front of the museum	3 min
2	There are the sources concerning to mid XIX century on the archeological history of Afrasiab ruins, archeological sites and administrative monuments, the relief map showing in the first hall of the museum. The things connected to the history of earliest ages of the city life: a model of kiln, concerning VI-IV centuries BC, the things made of stone and iron are situated in the second hall. The things concerning Hellenism: the models of Samarkand ramparts built in the III-II centuries BC, arms, coins, ceramics, terracotta, stone and wooden things and wall studs of ramparts of the citadel are in the 3^rd hall. Things informing about the cultural life of Samarkand in I-IV centuries AD are in the 4^th hall and they are: mihrab-hearth concerning IV century AD, terracotta statues, domestic tools, ossuaries are exhibited. Among the unique exhibits of the museum, the fresco concerning to VII century AD. It was situated several hundred meters at the west from the today`s museum occupies important place. The fresco was found unexpectedly in 1965. The hall was the residence of Varkhuman`s family, who ruled Samarkand in the 3^rd quarter of VII century. Four scenes on four walls – the reception of envoys by Samarkand ruler, manifest to the mausoleum, snow leopard hunting and other pictures. This fresco is very unique art and it decorated the sitting-room once. From 1985 on, it was exhibited in the museum. After researches, it was found out that, the fresco concerns to King Varkhuman. The western wall is at the straight from entrance. From top at the left the picture of a man dressed in white and 16 sogdian inscriptions at the hem of his dress is preserved. This inscription concerns to the reception of embassadors of Varkhuman come from Unash clan. According to Chinese chronicles only Varkhuman was known for this name. In 655 the king Varkhuman sent his envoys to China for acquiring citizenship. It looks the action for expected danger from Arabs, after the war with Iran. The manifest of envoys, who are taking gifts at the lower part of western wall suits to the Sogd inscription. This scene is depicted in the open place and there are arms, spears leaned against the stands. There are bunches of shields, masked with wonderful décors. On the second row, the people with long hair are standing and looking back. They seem Turk guardians, who were the main core of the army of the government. The upper part of these pictures damaged, today it is unknown, what is described there. The compositions of northern wall at the right invites you another world. It is like China. At the left, women are described on the boats, the first is well preserved. At the row of the boat, the musicians are described with different instruments; the woman who described bigger than others seems queen. At the frontal part, there is another scene, that`s a servant holding another`s hand and tries to settle the controversy and imitates to the queen, she is pacifying them and settling the issue. At the left from the entrance, the scene of the fresco is well preserved. In the picture, the people are not going to the center; they are going to the opposite side, to the east. The last point of that is not the city, it is a building and there are several people. It is known from Chinese chronicles that, every new year (Navruz) the Zoroastrians visit graves. These graves are at the south-east. The way to there is considered as the way to heaven. At the end of the pilgrimage, the animals are slaughtered and made sacrifice. In the central part of the composition, the ritual is described. Two people with their mouths closed were described. They are not monks; they are noblemen in festive dresses. They are taking the animals to sacrifice. One of these animals is grey horse, which has a saddle, without horseman. One of them is taking four geese, there are sogdian inscription on their wings. According to the sources, the horse was sacrificed to the god of the sun Mitra, the geese were sacrificed to Zurvan who was compared to Brahma. Zurvan is described in four shapes and the symbol of Zurvan is wild geese. Middle part of the eastern wall is the main part of entrance to the hall. The fish swimming in the water, swimming boys, the pictures of bulls are well preserved. Perhaps, it reminds India or paradise of Zoroastrians, that is, the world separates the deceased from alive.	In the museum. Full information.	15 min