National heritage preserved: handed over to the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan by the Customs committee

🔴 Heritage emerging from the depths of centuries

The State Customs committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan has confiscated 325 ancient coins, jewelry, and artifacts that were intercepted while being illegally smuggled out of the country. In accordance with regulations, these items have been temporarily entrusted to the museum collection of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan.

According to the conclusion of art experts from the Cultural Heritage Agency’s Department of Artistic Expertise, these objects span a wide period from the 2nd–1st centuries BCE to the 20th century. They are valued as rare treasures of high historical and cultural significance, with an estimated worth of nearly 400 million soums.

Recently, at the “Keles” railway border customs post, an attempt to smuggle unique historical valuables out of the country was uncovered. In particular, during a routine inspection of a passenger on the “Tashkent - Novosibirsk” train, customs officers discovered in his hand luggage and bags 325 ancient coins, jewelry, artifacts, a weight, and arrowheads that had not been declared during questioning.

In line with Article 8 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the Export and Import of Cultural Property”, it is strictly prohibited to take out of the country cultural valuables that were created fifty years ago or earlier. The State Customs service continues to implement consistent measures to preserve national heritage and prevent violations of the law.

Thus, our national heritage was saved from the hands of smugglers and handed over by the Customs committee to the museum collection of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan.