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Journal of Sistan and Baluchistan Studies

Journal of Sistan and Baluchistan Studies

ROCK ART OF SARMISHSAY (UZBEKISTAN): TECHNIQUES, MOTIFS, AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors
1 Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages
2 Samarkand State University named after Sharof Rashidov
3 Samarkand State Architecture and Construction University named after Mirzo Ulugbek, Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
4 Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage.
10.22034/jsbs.2026.579140.1142
Abstract
During the archaeological research conducted in Central Asia over the past few decades, numerous rock art sites have been identified, which show that the people of this region have carved their ideas and thoughts on rocks during different periods. In Uzbekistan, due to its mountainous landscape, more than one hundred and fifty rock art sites have been identified, one of the largest of which is Sarmishsay. In this article, the aim is to examine the technique of creating and the content of these motifs. In fact, these motifs are one of the most important sources for understanding the artistic expression, beliefs, and daily life of past communities. Several thousand motifs have been carved on the rocks at this site. They include zoomorphic, anthropomorphic, geometric, and unidentified motifs. The petroglyphs were created using four methods: engraving, engraving – pecking, pecking, and Scratching. Although dating petroglyphs is difficult without laboratory analysis, the degree of patination and weathering of the motifs indicates that these motifs were made in different periods and do not belong to a single period. Due to the exposure of these motifs to natural factors such as rock erosion, wind, and rain, parts of them are gradually disappearing. Protecting this site as one of the most important cultural heritage sites is essential because the diversity, thematic richness, and artistic beauty of its rock carvings can play an important role in attracting cultural tourists and researchers in the fields of history and archaeology, and help better introduce the region's cultural heritage at the national and international levels.
Keywords

هنر صخره‌ای سرمیش‌سای (ازبکستان): فنون اجرا، مضامین و اهمیت فرهنگی

چکیده
در جریان پژوهش‌های باستان‌شناختی انجام‌شده در آسیای مرکزی طی چند دهه اخیر، محوطه‌های متعددی از هنر صخره‌ای شناسایی شده‌اند که نشان می‌دهند مردمان این منطقه در دوره‌های گوناگون، اندیشه‌ها و باورهای خود را بر سطوح سنگی نقش کرده‌اند. در ازبکستان، به دلیل ویژگی‌های کوهستانی چشم‌انداز طبیعی، بیش از یکصد و پنجاه محوطه هنر صخره‌ای شناخته شده است که سرمیش‌سای یکی از بزرگ‌ترین آن‌ها به شمار می‌رود. هدف این مقاله بررسی فنون اجرای نگاره‌ها و تحلیل محتوای مضامین آن‌هاست. این نگاره‌ها از مهم‌ترین منابع برای شناخت جلوه‌های هنری، باورها و شیوه زندگی جوامع گذشته محسوب می‌شوند. چندین هزار نقش بر روی صخره‌های این محوطه حک شده است که شامل نگاره‌های جانوری، انسانی، هندسی و نقوش با هویت نامشخص هستند. سنگ‌نگاره‌های این محوطه با استفاده از چهار شیوه شامل حکاکی، حکاکی همراه با کوبش، کوبش (پِکینگ) و خراش‌کاری ایجاد شده‌اند. اگرچه تاریخ‌گذاری سنگ‌نگاره‌ها بدون انجام آنالیزهای آزمایشگاهی با دشواری همراه است، میزان پتینه‌بستگی و هوازدگی نقوش نشان می‌دهد که این آثار در دوره‌های زمانی متفاوت پدید آمده‌اند و به یک دوره خاص تعلق ندارند. قرارگیری این نقوش در معرض عوامل طبیعی همچون فرسایش سنگ، باد و باران سبب شده است که بخش‌هایی از آن‌ها به‌تدریج از میان بروند. حفاظت از این محوطه به‌عنوان یکی از مهم‌ترین میراث‌های فرهنگی منطقه ضرورتی انکارناپذیر است؛ زیرا تنوع، غنای موضوعی و زیبایی هنری سنگ‌نگاره‌های آن می‌تواند نقش مهمی در جذب گردشگران فرهنگی و پژوهشگران حوزه‌های تاریخ و باستان‌شناسی ایفا کرده و به معرفی هرچه بهتر میراث فرهنگی منطقه در سطوح ملی و بین‌المللی کمک کند.

کلیدواژه: آسیای مرکزی، ازبکستان، هنر صخره‌ای، سنگ‌نگاره‌ها، هنر پیش‌ازتاریخی.

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Volume 6, Issue 2
Special Issue on Rock Art Studies in Iran, Central Asia, and South Asia
December 2026
Pages 15-26

  • Receive Date 08 January 2026
  • Revise Date 28 May 2026
  • Accept Date 07 June 2026
  • Publish Date 01 December 2026