Among the vast expanses of the Kyzylkum desert, there is a unique territory that preserves traces of the history of distant eras. The Sarmyshsai tract, located near the industrially developed city of Navoi, in the Navoi region of Uzbekistan, carefully preserves thousands of mysterious drawings made by the hand of our ancestors.
This amazing corner is located on the southern slopes of the Karatau Range, which is the northern tip of the majestic Tien Shan Mountains. A real Stone Age art gallery with a length of about two kilometers stretches through the Sarmysh gorge (as the locals call it).
Scientists have discovered more than five thousand rock carvings here, created from the Paleolithic era to the Bronze Age, some of which date back to the VI-V millennium BC, shedding light on the life and way of life of the first inhabitants of the region.
Unique evidence has been preserved here of how ancient nomadic tribes, presumably belonging to the Indo-European Scythian groups, lived and interacted with nature.
Their art captured images of the flora and fauna of those times, hunting, daily activities and leisure, scenarios of predator-prey struggle. Of particular value are the numerous anthropomorphic figures, which for the first time attempt to convey the appearance of a person and his actions.
The petroglyphs are executed on smooth surfaces of red sandstone containing layers of limestone and shale. From the primitive designs of the early period, the technique of execution gradually becomes more detailed and skillful, allowing you to see the progress of technologies for making tools and weapons. Over time, new elements appear in the paintings, indicating the development of the economic skills of our predecessors.
The animals represented on the petroglyphs have now virtually disappeared due to climate change and the expansion of human presence in the region. Thus, Sarmyshsai appears as a real window into the past, allowing us to look into the history of the Earth and mankind.
This unique archaeological treasure is open to anyone who wants to get in touch with the spirit of ancient times. Modern science makes every effort to preserve a unique collection of ancient images, recognized as one of the most important monuments of world significance.
Among the many sites in Uzbekistan containing rock carvings, Sarmyshsai stands out for the largest number of artifacts and the highest value for science and culture.
Visiting the Sarmyshsai tract allows you to feel the connection of generations, feel the breath of time and feel the mystery of human civilizations that once inhabited these lands.
