Sharjah Archaeology to showcase discoveries in Uzbekistan

The Sharjah Archaeology Authority is organising an exhibition in Uzbekistan showcasing archaeological discoveries from the Emirate of Sharjah.

The Silk Road House in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, will host this exhibition from April 18  to May 22, 2024.

The exhibition features 121 unique archaeological pieces. These artefacts represent a curated selection from various historical periods in Sharjah, spanning from prehistoric times, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age, and the pre-Islamic period all the way to the Islamic era.

“The exhibition, which is scheduled to be held in Samarkand, aims to strengthen cooperation in archaeological research, exchange experiences, and conduct joint scientific research in cultural heritage," said Eisa Yousif, Director-General of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority.

“The exhibition showcases the rich cultural, historical, and archaeological aspects of the UAE, allowing visitors to closely learn about the cultural heritage of the Emirate of Sharjah, its diversity, and history,” he added.

According to the Director-General of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority, the city of Samarkand was chosen to hold the exhibition due to its cultural and scientific significance on the Silk Road. It was a centre of science during the era of scientific prosperity and played an important role in connecting the East with the West. He also emphasised the significance of exhibitions in promoting tourism in the emirate and introducing the region's civilisation.

“The artefacts that will be displayed include a collection of discovered coins that played a role in trade along the Silk Road, including Kushan coins, Abbasid dirhams, and one Sughd copper coin, in addition to pottery collections discovered in Mleiha, which allow insight into Mleiha’s commercial role in the first centuries. B.C.E.,” he added.

The Sharjah Archaeology Authority's archaeological exhibition programme deserves special attention because it has organised several international exhibitions in Japan, Spain, and Belgium. Furthermore, the Authority gladly participated in other exhibitions, including the National Museum of Beijing, which showcased 14 archaeological pieces.

The Authority participated in an exhibition in Portugal at the National Museum of Archaeology in Lisbon, where it won five awards at the “Sharjah Archaeology” exhibition at the Portuguese level in 2020, including first place from the Portuguese Association of Museology.

WAM