The Afrosiab Museum stands on the site of ancient Samarkand, in the Samarkand Region of Uzbekistan. It is a museum of archaeology, and its collection is drawn from the pre-Islamic city that once occupied this ground.
What you will see
The museum showcases archaeological finds from the pre-Islamic city. Visitors interested in the early history of the place will find its displays the most direct link to that period, since the objects come from the very ground on which the museum is built.
Among the highlights are the 7th-century frescoes, which offer insight into the region's pre-Islamic cultural heritage. They are the reason many visitors come, and they give a clear picture of how the people of this city lived, decorated their spaces and understood the world before the arrival of Islam.
Planning your visit
The Afrosiab Museum suits anyone curious about the deeper past of Samarkand, not only the later monuments the city is known for. It is a quiet, focused visit rather than a sweeping one, and it works well as a way to understand the older layers beneath the city's better-known sites.
- Best for travellers who enjoy archaeology and ancient art
- Useful background before exploring the wider city
- Pairs naturally with other sites across Samarkand and the surrounding region
Plan to combine the museum with time in Samarkand itself, where the city and its region offer a rich range of historical sights to explore after you have seen how the ancient city once looked.