Museum of History and Culture of Uzbekistan, Samarkand

The State Museum of History and Culture of Uzbekistan in Samarkand is one of the oldest museums in the country. Its collection includes tens of thousands of exhibits spanning various historical periods, including numerous artefacts reflecting the daily life, traditions, and culture of the peoples of Uzbekistan. One of the museum’s distinctive features is the opportunity not only to view individual historical objects, but also to trace the development of Samarkand itself — from an ancient trading city on the Great Silk Road to one of the major cultural centres of modern Uzbekistan.

Museum Collections

The museum consists of several main departments dedicated to the history, archaeology, art, and culture of the region.

Archaeological and Ethnographic Department

The Archaeological and Ethnographic Department presents household items and cultural artefacts connected with the peoples who inhabited the territory of modern Uzbekistan in ancient times. Visitors can see gold-embroidered textiles, knives with carved handles, embossed tableware, ritual objects, and many other remarkable exhibits illustrating the traditional way of life in the region.

Art History Department

The Art History Department showcases a rich collection of decorative and applied arts. Among the exhibits are handwoven carpets, silk-embroidered skullcaps, satin fabrics, painted ceramic tableware, carved wooden objects, works by Samarkand artists, and many other examples of local craftsmanship.

History Department

The History Department contains artefacts illustrating key events and important periods in the history of Uzbekistan. Highlights include Bronze Age ornaments, ossuaries from Zoroastrian temples, fragments of architectural monuments, and decorative elements from religious buildings.

Numismatic Department

The Numismatic Department houses an extensive collection of approximately 30,000 coins. The collection includes coins from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, the Kushan and Sassanid empires, currency once used in northern India, as well as copper coins that circulated in the ancient states of Bactria and Sogdiana.

Cultural and Educational Activities

The museum also organises exhibitions, lectures, and cultural events aimed at promoting Uzbekistan’s historical heritage and strengthening cooperation with other museums and cultural institutions.

The scale of the museum’s collections is truly impressive, and each exhibit offers visitors a deeper understanding of the civilisations that once flourished in Central Asia. A visit to the museum provides a fascinating insight into the history, art, and traditions of Samarkand and the wider region.