Uzbekistan recovers Bactrian-era artifacts from the United Kingdom

At the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan, Bactrian-era artifacts have been returned to the country from the United Kingdom and are now being presented at the Center of Islamic Civilization, according to the center’s press service.

It is noted that the exhibition on display at the Center of Islamic Civilization clearly demonstrates that high levels of craftsmanship, jewelry-making, and symbolic thinking existed in the Bactrian region even before the advent of Islam. Through the exhibits, visitors gain a broad understanding of the worldview, beliefs, and social structure of the Bactrian peoples.

The gold bracelets showcased in the exhibition were considered one of the main indicators of social status and wealth in Bactrian society. Crafted from pure gold, these ornaments are decorated with semi-precious stones such as agate, turquoise, and lapis lazuli. They were interpreted not only as items of adornment, but also as symbols of power, authority, and prosperity.

Coral and necklace ornaments highlight the high level of Bactrian jewelry craftsmanship. The harmonious combination of gold tube-shaped beads with lapis lazuli, agate, and turquoise reflects not only refined aesthetic taste, but also deep symbolic meaning. In ancient times, these items were believed to have spiritual protective and ritual significance.

One of the rarest exhibits in the collection is a gold dagger sheath dating back to the 4th century BCE. It reflects historical processes associated with the Achaemenid period and the campaigns of Alexander the Great. The animal and mythical figures depicted on the sheath illustrate the interweaving of Saka, Sogdian, and Bactrian artistic traditions.

For reference, the history of the Bactria–Margiana region developed around rivers that originated in the Pamir-Badakhshan mountains and flowed through the Amu Darya basin, bringing life to vast territories. In archaeology, this cultural area is known as the Bactria–Margiana Archaeological Complex (BMAC), also referred to as the Oxus civilization, and dates back to the 3rd–2nd millennia BCE. It encompassed northern Afghanistan, southern regions of present-day Tajikistan, and southern Uzbekistan.