An international conference titled “Samarkand: 3000-Year Heritage” was held in Paris during the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference. As a result of scientific discussions, the age of the city was officially reassessed: based on new archaeological data, Samarkand has now been officially recognized as 3000 years old — 250 years older than previously believed, Orient reported.
The event was organized by the Art and Culture Development Foundation of Uzbekistan, the Academy of Sciences of the Republic, and the Samarkand regional administration with the support of UNESCO.
The forum brought together leading scholars, archaeologists, and representatives of international organizations, including UNESCO World Heritage Centre Director Lazare Eloundou Assomo and Dr. Claude Rapin.
Participants of the conference discussed:
- The latest archaeological discoveries in the region.
- Urban development of the Zarafshan Valley.
- The significance of Samarkand as one of the most ancient centers of world civilization.
The conference became an important platform for strengthening international cooperation in archaeology and cultural heritage preservation.
The key outcome of the conference was the scientific conclusion that the history of Samarkand spans at least 3000 years. The previously accepted age of the city — 2750 years — was revised, and the new date is now officially recognized by the international scientific community.