Around 70 kilometers from Tashkent, the quaint village of Hodjikent is a gateway to an ancient world. On the western slopes of the Chatkal ridge, beside the serene Chirchik river, lies a rock canvas adorned with petroglyphs, near a spring long revered as sacred. For centuries, this site has been a bastion of solace and spirituality, drawing visitors, particularly women seeking blessings for health and offspring.
The Hodjikent petroglyphs were unveiled to the modern world in the late 1940s by H. Alpysbaev. During archaeological explorations at the Chirchik river’s source, local lore led him to the legendary hoofprints of Caliph Ali’s horse, etched into stone. This initial discovery, believed to be argali horns, marked the beginning of a profound archaeological journey. Initially, only 23 carvings were identified, dating back to the first millennium BC. The torch of discovery was then passed to M.Khuzhanazarov, a renowned Central Asian archaeologist, who expanded the catalog with meticulous study.
Carved into a rock face stretching 18 meters in length and rising 12.5 meters high, the Hodjikent petroglyphs are a testament to ancient artistry. The elements have claimed some of these historical treasures, but many remain, revealing themselves alongside more prominent figures. The diversity of the carvings suggests they were created over different periods, with over 90 petroglyphs identified, depicting a range of fauna including ibex, argali, reindeer, horses, oxen, and dogs. Human figures are scarce, yet their repeated presence adds to the enigma.
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