WOSCU and the Center for Islamic Civilization have succeeded in returning lost heritage from the United Kingdom.
Among the returned items, there are ten invaluable artifacts from various periods of Central Asian history. These include findings related to the Kushan period culture, ancient Termez, Buddhist art traditions, and the Sogdian heritage. Some of the items date back to the 2nd–8th centuries AD.
In cooperation with the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Popularization of Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan (WOSCU), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Art Loss Register — an international specialized company engaged in the search for stolen, lost and illegally exported works of art, antiques and cultural treasures, the Metropolitan Police Service, relevant British structures, and international experts, rare and unique masterpieces of global significance are being returned to Uzbekistan.
It was reported that an international media event titled "History and Cultural Heritage of the Great Timurids" dedicated to the 690th anniversary of the birth of the great statesman and commander Amir Timur was held in London at the Embassy of Uzbekistan. It was attended by leading British and foreign historians, orientalists, representatives of the diplomatic corps, the academic community, cultural circles and international organizations. During the evening, special materials were presented about the personality of Amir Timur, his place in world history, the achievements of the Timurid era, as well as modern initiatives aimed at preserving historical heritage in Uzbekistan. A special highlight of the event was the premiere of a new short film titled "The Golden Age of the Timurids," created with the participation of the world-famous British actor Sir Ben Kingsley.
Also of great interest was the presentation of a new publication prepared by WOSCU within the series "Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in World Collections" — a book by Firuza Melville dedicated to the Central Asian manuscript heritage in the libraries of Cambridge University.
The most important part of the event was the ceremony of returning cultural treasures to Uzbekistan, which aroused great interest among the participants. Among the returned items are ten priceless artifacts from various periods of Central Asian history. These include finds related to the culture of the Kushan period, ancient Termez, Buddhist art traditions, and the Sogdian heritage. Some items date back to the 2nd–8th centuries AD. Also among the returned heritage is a unique Timurid-era cenotaph belonging to a royal personage.
First of all, we express our deep gratitude to our esteemed President, the author of this grand initiative and strategically important idea, for consistently and effectively implementing a program of immense importance aimed at preserving our cultural heritage, searching for it, and returning it to our Motherland.
The return of historical artifacts was the result of extensive and complex international cooperation that lasted several months. This process involved dozens of specialists, experts, lawyers, art historians, and law enforcement agencies from various countries. The repatriation work began after information was received that these items might originate from the territory of Uzbekistan. Subsequently, an international working group was formed with the participation of foreign experts, WOSCU members, art history scholars, and cultural heritage specialists.
At the same time, we express special gratitude to the Customs Committee of Uzbekistan, which has been actively participating in this benevolent and responsible process. In particular, the contribution of the OSCE, the Art Loss Register, the Metropolitan Police, as well as relevant British state structures, esteemed international experts, and all partner organizations within the framework of international cooperation deserves high recognition.
It is particularly noteworthy that this cooperation serves not only to restore our national cultural heritage but also to strengthen its prestige on a global scale," said Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, Chairman of the Board of WOSCU.
WOSCU played a decisive role in the repatriation process. In recent years, it has become one of the most effective international mechanisms for searching, studying, and returning Uzbekistan's cultural heritage from foreign collections.
For UK law enforcement agencies, returning cultural treasures to their rightful owner is one of the important tasks in combating illegal trafficking. We are proud that today we have the opportunity to hand over these cultural treasures to the people of Uzbekistan. We see the high attention that President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev pays to issues of culture, historical memory, and the return of national heritage. This creates important conditions for such initiatives and unites different countries for a noble cause," said Detective Superintendent Kerry Wood, Head of the Economic Crime Unit.
According to expert assessments, among the returned objects, the heads of sculptures made of plaster and terracotta dating back to the 2nd–5th centuries AD are of particular importance. Such works are characteristic of the Kushan period culture and the Buddhist art centers of ancient Termez — Karatepa, Fayoztepa, and Dalverzintepa. Also of great interest are fragments of ancient wall paintings. Some of them may be associated with Sogdian traditions of the 7th–8th centuries or even more ancient monumental schools in southern Uzbekistan.
The returned items are of immense historical and scientific significance. They belong to different periods of the territory of modern Uzbekistan and reflect the civilizational processes that took place in Central Asia over the centuries," said Dr. Farhod Maksudov, Director of the Institute of Anthropology of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
After being brought to Tashkent, these items will undergo additional attribution, restoration examination, and scientific description. This will allow them to be introduced into international scientific circulation and presented to the general public for the first time as a restored part of Uzbekistan's historical memory.
Within the framework of the ceremony, official documents were signed and certificates were exchanged confirming the legal transfer of the returned cultural treasures to the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. This event became an important symbol of international cooperation, the restoration of historical justice, and the return of priceless relics to their homeland.
This event could mark the beginning of a new stage: it is not unlikely that similar processes will be observed in other countries where items originating from Uzbekistan are kept. Such examples show that international cooperation and a responsible attitude towards cultural heritage serve to restore historical justice," said James Ratcliffe, Chairman of the Art Loss Register.
This event is expected to become an important symbol of international cooperation, trust, legal responsibility, and the restoration of historical justice.
