Ancient cemetery and archaeological artifacts found in Surxondaryo

An ancient cemetery and archaeological artifacts have been discovered in Surxondaryo

Archaeological excavation and research work are being carried out at the Ozod monument, located in the Sho‘rchi district of the Surxondaryo region. This was reported by the Cultural Heritage Agency.

The research is being conducted in cooperation with the Samarkand Institute of Archaeology named after Ya. Gulyamov and the Silk Road Archaeology Research Center of Northwest University in China. The excavation work began on August 15 of this year.

The Ozod monument was discovered in 2023 during field survey work conducted in the eastern part of the Surxondaryo basin. It is located southeast of the village of Ozod, approximately 6 kilometers southeast of the Dalvarzintepa monument.

About 100 graves have been found on the territory of the monument, which measures approximately 200 by 100 meters. This year, archaeological research is being conducted on more than 10 graves in its southwestern part.

According to preliminary results, the structure of the graves and the archaeological artifacts identified in them show characteristics typical of the Sapalli culture monuments.

Based on radiocarbon analysis and comparative-typological study of the finds, the monument is estimated to date back to 1700–1500 BC.

The Ozod monument is considered one of the oldest cemeteries discovered in the Surxondaryo basin. It holds significant scientific importance in studying the formation and development stages of ancient burial traditions in the region.

Currently, archaeological field excavation research is continuing at the monument.

Earlier, during excavations conducted at the Boburtepa archaeological monument in the Qamashi district of the Qashqadaryo region, the remains of an ancient building and a unique wall painting on its western wall were found.