Archaeological field research conducted in the Zomin and Sharof Rashidov districts of Uzbekistan’s Jizzakh region has uncovered new sites dating to the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods, along with nearly 30 rock art images. The press service of the Samarkand Institute of Archaeology named after Yahyo Gulomov reported the findings.
The investigations were carried out in September by staff from the Cultural Heritage Agency and the Samarkand Institute of Archaeology. In the Zomin district, a series of new Stone Age archaeological objects were recorded. According to preliminary conclusions, Paleolithic sites (dating from 2.5 million to 14,000 years ago) were identified in the eastern part of Achchi village, while Neolithic sites (6th–3rd millennia BCE) were found in Peshagor village. Additionally, Neolithic locations were documented in the western part of Achchi and in the Arja village area.
The discovery of both Paleolithic and Neolithic monuments within a single area suggests that ancient communities may have lived in the Zomin oasis and this part of the Turkestan mountain range over long historical periods, regularly utilizing the territory. Experts note that the new finds could serve as an important scientific resource for studying the distribution, habitat, and economic activities of Stone Age communities in the Turkestan range.
During the field work, a new archaeological site was also identified in the Sharof Rashidov district. A complex of rock art was recorded in the Ravot village area, on the left bank of the Ravotsay stream. Nearly 30 petroglyphs were found on the surfaces of seven shale rocks. Among them are depictions of a hunter, a mountain goat, cattle, a dog, a solar symbol, and a hunter shooting a bow. Preliminary analysis indicates that these petroglyphs date from the Bronze Age (3rd–1st millennia BCE) to the early Middle Ages (5th–11th centuries CE).
Specialists emphasize that the identified objects may provide new scientific data for studying the ancient history of the Jizzakh oasis and the Turkestan mountain range. Future plans include large-scale archaeological research at the discovered monuments, as well as continued dating and documentation of the finds. It is worth recalling that in 2025, new Paleolithic and Neolithic sites were also discovered in the Gallaorol district of Jizzakh region. In particular, a Late Paleolithic primitive human settlement was recorded in the western part of Ugat village, and new Neolithic sites were identified in the northern foothills of Qoropchi village and north of Yonboshtut village.
Source: www.gazeta.uz