In Surxondaryo, a cemetery and archaeological artifacts dating back to 1700–1500 BC have been found
Archaeological research is being conducted in Surxondaryo at the Ozod monument, which consists of nearly 100 graves. According to preliminary data, the graves belong to the Sapalli culture, and the monument and archaeological artifacts may date back to 1700–1500 BC.
A cemetery and archaeological finds dating back to 1700–1500 BC have been discovered in Surxondaryo
A cemetery and archaeological artifacts dating back to 1700–1500 BC have been found at the Ozod site in the Sho‘rchi district of the Surxondaryo region.
Archaeological excavations and research are being conducted here in cooperation with the Samarkand Institute of Archaeology named after Yahyo G‘ulomov and the Silk Road Archaeology Research Center of Northwest University in China. The research began on August 15. The Ozod site was discovered in 2023 during field survey work conducted in the eastern part of the Surxondaryo basin.
The site is located southeast of the village of Ozod, approximately 6 kilometers southeast of Dalvarzintepa. Its area is about 200×100 meters.
Experts have identified about 100 graves in the territory of the site. 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 found in them show characteristics typical of the Sapalli culture sites.
Radiocarbon (¹⁴C) analysis and comparative-typological study of the archaeological artifacts indicate that the site dates back to 1700–1500 BC.
The Ozod site is assessed as one of the oldest cemeteries discovered in the Surxondaryo basin. Studying it is of great importance in researching the formation and development stages of ancient burial traditions in the region.
Currently, archaeological field excavations are continuing at the site.
According to preliminary estimates, the layer in which they were identified was formed 320,000–280,000 years ago, and if the dates are confirmed, Arkutsoy could become the oldest archaeological site in Uzbekistan.