Events
Scientific results of the Conference (Navoi/ Sarmishsay 8-16 October 2004)
"New approaches to studies, conservation and sustainable management of natural and cultural heritage of Sarmishsai "
The Conference was organized by Sarmishsai Rock Art Agency, at the institute of Archaeology ASUzb in collaboration with the International Institute of Central Asian Studies in Samarkand with the financial support of UNESCO, Navoi Mining Metallurgical Combinate and Khokimiyat of Navoi oblast. The Conference received considerable public attention and national media was present.
Experts and scientists from 10 countries, including Azerbaijan, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Japan, Uzbekistan were present at this event. They represent various fields of research: archaeology, ethnography, rock art studies, botany, ecology, geologists, eco tourism managers etc. (Photo - Participants of the International Conference on Rock Art of Sarmishsay, Navoi 8 October 2004).
This was a first meeting that focus on critical social-cultural and environmental problems found in Sarmishsai Valley (Navoi district), Uzbekistan, such as, training in conservation, damage documentation, mapping, database up-date, and with special dealing on presentation of natural and cultural values within sustainable management, care and monitoring.
As results the participants of the October 2004 Workshop, dedicated to the documentation, conservation and presentation of the Cultural and Natural Landscape of Sarmishsai Gorge, have formulated a set of recommendations to be addressed to Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Culture and the Xokimat of Navoi Region.
The conference received considerable public attention and national and local media were present. Also among the ca. 50 participants present were official representatives of the Navoi oblast and the Nowbahor district, the Navoi Metal-Metallurgical Combinat, the national UNESCO commission and the UNESCO regional office in Almaty. Together with UNESCO and the International Institute for Central Asian Studies in Samarkand, the Sarmishsai Rock Art Agency was in charge of the arrangement and the program. Core participants in the Sarmishsai workshop were the Central Asian colleagues from Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan, who are co-operating on CARAD – Central Asian Rock Art Database, and in addition a lichen specialist from Tadjikistan. Their support, contribution and hard work during the workshop were invaluable. Their close and solidaric co-operation and support to each other is an example to the world.
(Photo 1 - First introduction of the Archaeological Complex of Sarmishsai to the conference participants; near petroglyph group 13 in October, 10 2004).(Photo 2 - Boris Shljahtin’s photogallery at the Farhad Palace in Navoi, October 8, 2004).(Photo 3 - Participants of the fieldwork Seminar during discussion in Sarmishsay October 12, 2004).