NEWLY DISCOVERED OSSUARIES IN SAMARKAND
Abstract
Recent extensive archaeological studies in Samarkand allowed to obtain diverse and fascinating archaeological
materials illustrating various aspects of the culture of the local population in different historical periods.
Ossuaries occupy a special place among them. Despite the small number of finds, they shed light on the artistic
culture and religious ideas of the Sogdians in the pre-Islamic period. The article discusses the latest finds of
ossuaries in Samarkand and its environs. One of them was discovered by chance and comes from the modem
Muslim cemetery of Yettigur, located opposite the northwestern comer of the settlement of Afrasiab. The
second one is represented only by a richly ornamented lid. However, it was found during the excavation of the
palace of a wealthy city resident in the ancient site of Kafirkala near Samarkand and comes from a cast layer
after a fire in the middle of the 8th century. Those are compared with other previously identified astodans; their
dating is substantiated. The elements of decor, their features, and symbolic meaning are considered separately.
The Yettigur ossuary type was previously known only from small fragments. Now, for the first time, it has been
fully reconstructed. In addition, the discovery of an ossuary in Yettigur may indicate the existence of another
ossuary necropolis of the 7th and 8th centuries on the northwestern outskirts of Afrasiab.
About the Authors
List of references
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