Uzbekistan prepares nomination of Sarmishsay petroglyphs for UNESCO World Heritage List

Representatives of Uzbekistan discussed with international experts the prospects for preparing the nomination of the Sarmishsay petroglyphs for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The online meeting was held at the initiative of the Permanent Delegation of Uzbekistan to UNESCO. Benjamin Smith, Professor of Archaeology at the University of Western Australia and President of the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee for Rock Art, took part in the discussion.

Representatives of the National Commission of Uzbekistan for UNESCO, the Art and Culture Development Foundation, the Cultural Heritage Agency, the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, and the Navoi Regional Hokimiyat also joined the discussion.

Located in Navoi region, Sarmishsay is one of Uzbekistan’s best-known rock art sites. Its numerous petroglyphs reflect different historical periods and the cultural traditions of the region’s ancient inhabitants, making the site an important resource for studying Central Asia’s heritage.

At the meeting, participants explored the possibility of nominating Sarmishsay as a mixed World Heritage site, recognizing both the cultural significance of its rock carvings and the natural features of the surrounding landscape.

Work on the nomination dossier will continue in accordance with international requirements and recommendations from UNESCO experts.

UzA