Afrasiab Museum of Samarkand

The Afrasiab Museum of Samarkand stands near the ruins of the ancient Afrasiab settlement and displays over 22,000 artifacts from archaeological excavations in northern Samarkand. The collection is organized into five thematic rooms, each presenting objects from different historical periods.

The museum was founded in 1970 to commemorate 2500 years of Samarkand. It stands at the location where Mongols destroyed the ancient city in the 13th century.

The displayed wall paintings come from the Ikhshid Dynasty period and show scenes from daily life in the ancient city: ambassadors at court, hunting scenes, and festive ceremonies. These artworks offer direct insight into the relationships and customs of that era.

The building sits on a slightly elevated area that allows views over the surrounding excavations. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as reaching the museum and exploring the outdoor grounds requires walking.

The murals of the Hall of Ambassadors were discovered by chance in 1965 during road construction and show contact between Samarkand and Tang Dynasty China. These precious artworks could easily have been lost if workers had not stumbled upon them.

Location: Samarkand

Inception: 1970

Official opening: 1970

GPS coordinates: 39.66934,66.99335

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:01