Artefacts of the Silk Roads
Linking communities, cultures, traditions and diverse people for several millennia
UNESCO map of the silk roadsUNESCO Almaty
The Silk Roads have been a unifying force that has facilitated not only the exchange of goods but also the interpenetration and spread of cultures, ideas, inventions, knowledge, and arts.
6 of several countries that the Silk Roads passed through:
Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan — each presented 10 objects characterizing the infinite diversity of the Silk Roads heritage.
Emarat-e BadgirUNESCO Almaty
Ancient Iran was home to great empires
Including the Achaemenid Empire, Parthia, Persia, the Seljuk dynasty, the Ilkhanate and others. Located between the Caspian Sea and the Arabian Sea, and between Europe and Asia, these lands have connected countries and peoples by trade routes,
Ceramic statue (6th AH. – 13th AD.)UNESCO Almaty
organically weaving into its culture the polyphony of peoples, and leaving a trace in the cultures of its neighbours — from the north, south, east and west.
Head of a statue (6th-4th Century)UNESCO Almaty
From a sculptural portrait made of solid coloured stone,
with once inlaid eyes, to a precisely calibrated model of the Earth — a miniature globe explaining the movement of the stars; from a gold bracelet with detailed animal heads to a painted jar with the poetry of the wise Omar Khayyam.
Painted porcelain jar (9th AH - 15th AD.)UNESCO Almaty
Iran, a multifaceted and incomprehensible country, is revealed to us through ancient images, colours, and materials, through the art left to us by ancient masters.
Kazakhstan Koyalyk CitadelUNESCO Almaty
Kazakhstan
Several millennia ago, the vast steppes of modern Kazakhstan became home to nomadic tribes that created their own unique outlook and worldview. Their views were reflected in the costume of the Saka warrior who lived more than 2 thousand years ago.
Bordered by mountains to the south and east, the Caspian Sea to the west and forests to the north, the Kazakh steppes, deserts and semi-deserts witnessed the development of numerous nomadic associations, including the Saka, Scythians, Sarmatians, Huns, Turks and others.
Inkpot (13th century AD.)UNESCO Almaty
City and steppe, sedentary and nomadic cultures, complemented and enriched each other. The Silk Roads stretching through the steppes of modern Kazakhstan gave impetus to the emergence and development of a string of cities in the south of the country.
Camel incense burner (8th – 9th centuries AD.)UNESCO Almaty
Images of animals — tigers, leopards, birds, moose, wolves, argali, mythical golden-horned and golden-winged horse tulpar, and their mutual location — became a kind of encyclopaedia of nomadic mythology.
KyrgyzstanUNESCO Almaty
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan’s territory, which is almost entirely located in the mountains and surrounded by a large number of icy rivers, is topped with snow-capped peaks and ancient glaciers.
Despite its seemingly inaccessible location, this territory was organically integrated into the system of commodity and cultural exchange via the Silk Roads. The mountainous landscape and abundance of pastures facilitated the development of nomadic cattle breeding, still practiced in some regions of Kyrgyzstan; and the network of Silk Road routes promoted the development of cities.
Openwork badge (8th century AD.)UNESCO Almaty
Situated in the mountains, this region is hospitable to a wide variety of people who have left many objects of importance to them behind.
Buddha Figurine (Bodhisattva Padmapani) (9th – 10th centuries AD.)UNESCO Almaty
The diversity of culture is evident in the clay sculptures of humans, the numerous stone and bronze statues of Buddhas in various poses,
Fragment with a scene of a preaching Buddha (8th century AD.)UNESCO Almaty
Finely decorated in silver and executed with great skill
A stone with a Christian symbol and a Syriac inscription, and a gold plaque depicting a divine couple and a camel. This breadth of vision is demonstrated in the collection of objects from different cultures and faiths on display.
Mirror with Buddhist motifs (8th – 10th centuries AD.)UNESCO Almaty
The mirror, which is over a thousand years old
masterfully weaves together mythical phoenixes, ducks and Buddhas, with a lotus in its centre, a symbol of wisdom and peace.
Clay mask (8th century AD.)UNESCO Almaty
The master used rollers of clay to skillfully convey the features of a man’s face in the clay mask. This collection is definitely worth seeing for those who appreciate diversity and aesthetics.
TajikistanUNESCO Almaty
Tajikistan
This relatively small mountainous country in the foothills of the Pamir Mountains, with snow-capped peaks, icy lakes and dry air, has been home to a huge number of people from all over the world for several millennia, and all of them have left their mark here.
Falar with the image of Dionysus (1st century BC. – 1st century AD.)UNESCO Almaty
There is a gold earring with a miniature figure of a sphinx, a Greek trace in the form of an image of Dionysus, the god of wine, Sasanian silver coins — proof of active trade on the Silk Roads
Aquarius (10th century AD.)UNESCO Almaty
a jug in the form of a fantastic creature, a carved casket on legs, and an inlaid tray with precise geometric shape.
Carpet (20th century AD.)UNESCO Almaty
And, of course, later chronologically, but no less beautiful carpets and suzanis — hand-woven according to the designs of ancient masters.
Turkmanistan Mausoleum of Sultan SanjarUNESCO Almaty
Turkmenistan
Between mountains, steppes, and the Caspian Sea, the lands of Turkmenistan were the origin of ancient Margiana and later served as the route of trade caravans.
The combination of the Karakum Desert and the Amu Darya, the fullest river in Central Asia, rich oases and numerous wells on the caravan route gave birth to such cities as ancient Merv, the largest city of its time, several millennia ago.
Embossed inscription (11th century AD.)UNESCO Almaty
Mathematically verified openwork ornaments on columns and mosque walls, inscriptions, and a variety of colours are testaments to the history of the great empires that originated here.
Fragment of the bowl (11th century AD.)UNESCO Almaty
Mirror-smooth lakes, birds & flowers immortalized
in terracotta bowls painted with azure-blue glaze. A culture distinguished by the skill of interweaving patterns of plants & inscriptions. Examine a shard of a medieval bowl & find the graceful silhouette of a gazelle, a symbol of love & beauty of people living on this land.
Uzbakistan Hoja Minaret Khiva (1)UNESCO Almaty
Uzbekistan
Inheritor of most of ancient Maverannahr, the states of Bactria, Sogd, Khorezm and others, this country, combining snowy mountain peaks and clear waters, dry deserts and fertile plains, is both similar and different from its neighbours by its special originality.
This area has developed a rich and unique culture due to the succession of states and empires that emerged here at different times.
Stone sculpture of two snakes (End of 2nd millennium BC.)UNESCO Almaty
Two-headed snake from chrysotile, which is several thousand years old, demonstrates the skill of masters to work with the form; these traditions are continued in the cauldron with figures of horned animals, and with a stand with stylised heads of rams.
Sculpture. Fragment (1st – 2nd century AD.)UNESCO Almaty
This skill continues with magnificent depictions of people on clay and sandstone artefacts, such as vessels, sculptures, and even ossuaries.
Triad Sculpture (1st – 2nd century AD.)UNESCO Almaty
The Buddha sculpture and beautiful jugs made of clay and copper that are finely decorated with inscriptions and images of living beings.
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