The museum “History of the Paikend Settlement”, which traces the history of the Bukhara oasis since ancient times and the formation of Uzbek statehood, was opened in 2003.
The exposition of the museum presents items of material and spiritual culture of the people of Sogdiana, found during many years of archaeological research in the site of Paikend.
The settlement of Paikend, located 60 km south-west of the capital in ancient times, was the residence of the rulers of Bukhara.
City area of about 20 hectares arose in the IV-III centuries BC in the oasis of the Karakul region as a border fortress on the border with Iran. The famous Great Silk Road caravan road linked the Bukhara oasis with India, Iran, China, the Caucasus, the Urals, Syria and other countries.
In the Middle Ages Paikend had the status of an independent merchant republic, famous for its wealth and handicraft products. Before and after the arrival of the Arabs during the eighth and ninth centuries, its importance as one of the largest centers of caravan trade remained. At the beginning of the XI century, the city, as a result of a change in the regime of the channels of the river Zaravshan, lost water and was abandoned by residents.
The archaeological study of the Paikend oasis was begun in the 20s of the 20th century. This region is called “Paradise for archeologists” – during the long-term excavations over 10,000 thousand objects were found here, revealing the ancient history and culture of the Bukhara oasis.
Currently, an international base of archaeologists is located on the territory of the settlement of Paikend. Every year, joint archaeological surveys are conducted by the archaeologists of Uzbekistan, the State Hermitage Museum, the Louvre Museum, and others. The most interesting of them are: weapons and ammunition of ancient Sogdian warriors, unique palace and temple murals of the 5th – 6th centuries, and jewelry X- The 11th century, the Bukhara silver coins of imitation of the minting of the Sassanian king Peroz, who ruled until the 7th century BC; children’s ceramic toys; pharmaceutical and perfume vessels VIII – ser. X centuries.
Address: Bukhara region, Karakul district, Sayat village
For inquiries contact the head office of the Arch Museum
Telephone: 224-13-49, +99893 4545355
Website: bukhara-museum.uz
