Zarautsay petroglyphs

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The Petroglyphs of Zarautsay

Zaraytsay petroglyphs

The secrets of the mountains, etched deep within endless caves, grottoes, and lakes, hold stories of ancient civilizations. Among these treasures are the timeless rock carvings—petroglyphs—that have been discovered in various mountainous regions of Uzbekistan, offering glimpses into the lives of our distant ancestors.

One of the most ancient and fascinating sites is the Zarautsay Gorge, located in the southwestern spurs of the Gissar Range, west of the Surkhandarya region, approximately 100 km from Termez. Nestled on the steep slopes of Mount Kuhitang, over 20 grottoes adorned with rock paintings dating back to the 12th–8th millennia BCE have been found.

Unlike other petroglyph sites in Uzbekistan, the rock art of Zarautsay is unique in that all the drawings are rendered in red ochre. Aside from Zarautsay, only one other location in Uzbekistan, Kuruksay, features ancient ochre paintings. Most of these works are attributed to the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods, while the oldest date back to the Upper Paleolithic era, around 12,000–7,000 BCE. These artworks stand alongside renowned Paleolithic monuments such as Altamira in Spain, Lascaux in France, Kapova Cave in Bashkiria, and Saimaly-Tash in Kyrgyzstan.

The Zarautsay cave paintings vividly depict scenes of life and hunting. Among the images, one can distinguish human figures clad in hooded attire, poised to hurl spears at wild bulls. Nearby, animals such as gazelles, saiga antelopes, and mountain wolves are depicted in dynamic motion. Remarkably, even at such an early time, the dog appears alongside humans in these illustrations. Some drawings overlap with others, a testament to later additions by subsequent generations.

Experts believe that these images were created on rock surfaces coated with a layer of “desert varnish,” a yellowed limestone solution aged by time. The drawings are positioned at human height, often curving along the walls toward the ceiling, and range from 5 to 15 centimeters in size. The artists used a palette of red ochre, ground with animal fat, creating hues that vary from reddish-brown to purplish tones, set against a yellow-beige background.

While these ancient artworks have endured the passage of time, they are under constant threat—not only from environmental factors but also from modern human activity. Graffiti and thoughtless inscriptions left by visitors pose a significant danger to the preservation of these irreplaceable treasures.

Today, only 40 of the original 200 drawings discovered in 1940 remain intact in the grottoes of Zarautsay. Some of the later petroglyphs even bear inscriptions in Arabic, offering additional layers of historical intrigue.

The grotto and central part of the Zarautsay Valley lie near the boundary of a protected reserve and buffer zone, which is home to around 10 villages with a total population of over 4,000.

Residents of the nearest villages, Kyzylolma and Khojaanqan—both located approximately 5 km south and north of the site, respectively—graze livestock in the Zarautsay area, often illegally cut down juniper shrubs for fuel, and frequently visit the valley and grottoes during spring. Some locals act as informal guides for visiting tourists, sharing the beauty of the petroglyphs while also inadvertently contributing to their vulnerability.

Termez from Tashkent (3 days)

From$430
3 Days / 2 Nights

See Zurmala Buddha’s stupa
Explore Kirk Kiz Fortress
Tour Kara-Tepe archaeological site
Admire Sangardak Waterfall
Explore Derbent Canyon cliffs

Discover the ancient city of Termez on this three-day tour from Tashkent. Explore Buddhist and Islamic sites, including Kokildor-Ota Khanaka and Sangardak Waterfall, and visit the scenic Boysun village and Derbent Canyon. Immerse yourself in Uzbekistan’s rich cultural heritage.
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