Uzbekistan is usually associated with Tamerlane and his empire, Registan Square in Samarkand with majestic madrassas and mosques from the XV-XVI centuries, and, finally, with delicious pilaf. You’ll be surprised to learn that Uzbekistan is also world famous for one of the world’s largest “picture gallery” of petroglyphs – rock art from the Bronze and Stone Ages, located in the Sarmyshsoy Gorge near the city of Nurata.
Nestled in the picturesque surroundings near the city of Nurata, Uzbekistan, Sarmyshsay is home to one of the world’s largest collections of petroglyphs, making it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.
Petroglyphs are graphic representations, either carved or painted on rock surfaces, dating back to different periods from the Stone Age (Paleolithic) to the Middle Ages. While petroglyphs are found in various parts of the world, Sarmyshsay stands out for its sheer concentration of these ancient artworks, making it a true open-air museum of rock art.
Apparently, the large concentration of petroglyphs here is explained by the fact that the gorge itself was very convenient for living and hunting of primitive people. Animals came here for watering, and a little farther away the gorge turned into a gentle plain, where it was possible to make a dwelling.
Discovered in 1958, Sarmyshsay has since become a focal point for archaeologists from around the globe. The valley’s unique geography, with its abundance of wildlife and access to water sources, made it an ideal living and hunting ground for ancient peoples, leading to the creation of a vast array of petroglyphs.
The site boasts approximately 10,000 images, with the majority dating back to the Bronze Age (3000-900 BCE). However, there are also more ancient images from various periods of the Stone Age, starting from the 9th millennium BCE. The exact dating of the petroglyphs is challenging, with scholars analyzing various factors such as the technique used, the nature of the images, and the type of pigment (if any) used.
One of the remarkable aspects of Sarmyshsay is its remote location, which has limited the number of visitors to the site. This means that visitors often have the unique opportunity to explore the valley and its petroglyphs in solitude, adding to the mystique of the experience.
The petroglyphs at Sarmyshsay predominantly depict scenes of hunting wild animals such as mountain goats, bulls, and deer, as well as images of people engaged in dance or ritualistic activities. These ancient artworks offer a fascinating glimpse into the lives and practices of our distant ancestors, sparking the imagination and curiosity of visitors.
In addition to the petroglyphs, the reserve also includes a complex of more than 200 other archaeological sites, including flint workshops, mines, and burial mounds. To fully explore all the major attractions, it is recommended to hire a knowledgeable guide familiar with the area, as finding all the sites on your own can be challenging.
Due to the scorching summer temperatures, reaching 45-50 degrees Celsius, it is essential to bring an ample supply of water when visiting Sarmyshsay. Despite the challenges, a visit to this extraordinary site is a journey back in time, offering a unique perspective on the ancient past of Uzbekistan.
How to get there
It is quite difficult to get to the reserve in summer, as the way to the reserve is blocked by the children’s camp Sarmyshsoy, through which you can neither pass nor drive. In winter, spring, fall – please, but in summer – no way. But the children’s camp can be bypassed quite easily on an excellent dirt road. Instructions on how to do it you will find below.
In Google maps you need to build a route to the children’s camp Sarmyshsoy, but if suddenly, for some reason, it does not work, then you need to go as follows: from Samarkand you move along the highway towards Bukhara. After reaching the town of Navoi, turn to Nurata. About halfway to Nurata there will be a turn to the right, to the children’s camp Sarmyshsoy. The road passes through the Kyzylkum desert, it looks like this. Unusual, but in general quite monotonous:
After about 15 km you reach this road fork:
The road straight ahead leads to a children’s camp (which you can’t get through in summer for any money), but to the left is just a detour. Go left, on the dirt road, after 5-7 kilometers there will be a sign Sarmyshsoy to the right, where you need to turn.
At the end of the road to the left will be located yurt camp Sarmyshsoy, where you can stay overnight, and to the right will be just the museum of petroglyphs. To get to the place where the petroglyphs are located, you need to drive along the bed of a small river. In dry weather it is not a problem even for a small car, i.e. an off-road vehicle is not required.
The end point is this bridge:
Petroglyphs are located on both sides of the river near this bridge. In general, this place is highly recommend for a visit. It fits perfectly into the automobile route from Samarkand to Bukhara (with a stop in Nurata) and is really very interesting, causes a lot of strong emotions, and the place itself is just beautiful.