From the first discoveries to the age of ascent: see and feel the course of civilizational development in an extraordinary way

From the earliest Neolithic tools to the world trade routes passing through Sogdiana and Fergana, the course of civilizational development is presented as a unified whole in the historical bas-relief “The Wall of Civilizations and Discoveries.”

The bas-relief exhibition “The Wall of Civilizations and Discoveries,” organized by the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, is being prepared as a major visual document that reflects not only historical facts but also human spirituality and creative potential. Through this exhibition, visitors can trace the civilizations formed on the territory of Uzbekistan and their cultural, scientific, and economic development from the earliest periods to the Islamic era.

Early humanity and cultural development: from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age

The bas-relief begins with the Stone Age and encompasses the Neolithic, Eneolithic, and Bronze Age periods, including the emergence of early statehood and urbanization. During these eras, archaeological sites such as Sopollitepa, Qo‘yqirilgan Qal’a, and Zarautsoy appeared across the territory of Uzbekistan. The mastery of fire, the development of the first labor tools and pottery technologies, as well as the emergence of early innovations such as the wheel, metal smelting, and weaving, are visually depicted.

At the center of the bas-relief, the figure of a potter symbolizes the harmony of labor and creativity. Adjacent images, featuring pottery artifacts from the Kaltaminor and Chust cultures, reflect the earliest aesthetic and spiritual heritage. In addition, the petroglyphs of Siyipantosh and Sarmishsoy convey early human perceptions and totemistic beliefs.

The Bactrian civilization: the meeting of East and West

In the Bactrian section, the population’s aesthetic views and religious rituals are illustrated through cultural centers, jewelry, and coins formed in the region. Fayaztepa the Buddhist temple complex and the Buddha triad demonstrate how Buddhism harmonized with local traditions.

At the center of the bas-relief, the game of chess, together with ancient chess pieces discovered at Dalvarzintepa, symbolizes creative and strategic thinking. The depiction of Alexander the Great alongside Roxana, the daughter of the Bactrian commander Oxyartes, reveals historical intersections and geopolitical connections.

The Khorezm civilization: the awakening of knowledge and spirituality

In the ancient Khorezm section, spiritual and ethical ideas are conveyed through an excerpt from the Avesta and the image of Zoroaster. Qo‘yqirilgan Qal’a is portrayed as an astronomical observation center, presenting the study of celestial phenomena and the pursuit of knowledge as historical realities.

Through archaeological monuments such as Akshakhankala and Qirq Qiz Qal’a, clear insights into urban planning, defense systems, and early hydraulic technologies are provided. Ossuaries and sculptures dating to the 4^th-3^rd centuries BCE further illustrate the level of belief and artistic development.

The Sogdian and Fergana civilizations: cultural heritage and economic relations

In the Sogdian section of the bas-relief, urban traditions and cultural life are highlighted through centers such as Spitamen, Varakhsha, and Panjikent. The Kafirqala panel from the 5^th-8^th centuries and the image of Varhuman reveal the lifestyle, customs, and aesthetic views of the Sogdian people.

In the section dedicated to the ancient Fergana and Chach civilizations, traditions of horse breeding in Turkic history, horse trade, and the Mughtepa landscape reflect labor practices and agricultural life, while the Afrasiab wall paintings convey the historical environment. Images of Kultegin and Bilge Khagan also present spiritual heritage and writing traditions.

World trade routes and international connections

Obidjon Tangirov, Senior Researcher of the Center:

The bas-relief also depicts the Great Silk Road, which played a decisive role in the development of world civilizations, along with the trade and economic connections associated with it. The map shows the movement of merchants and caravans, visually reconstructing ancient economic life and material culture.

 

Ethnographic images from the 4^th-7^th centuries, along with ancient stone tablets made of jade and steatite, demonstrate the historical accuracy and aesthetic richness of life along the Silk Road.

 

“The Wall of Civilizations and Discoveries” is not only a work of visual art, but also a major educational and enlightenment document. Through this bas-relief, visitors especially the younger generation gain a systematic understanding of civilizations from prehistory to Islam and their cultural, scientific, and economic development. By harmonizing historical fact with artistic interpretation, the wall inspires a sense of historical memory, national pride, and spiritual uplift within society.