From Foundation to Function: Reevaluating the Samanid Tomb through New Evidence

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• Dr Dilroba Toshaeva
• Friday 14 June 2024, 14:00-15:00
• Online Event.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Said Reza Huseini.

Zoom Link if you wish to join us online: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0sf-GuqToiGtGlrnCB_abXfiVQxArP-3Tl

This presentation is based on my forthcoming article, (to be published by May 22) in Muqarnas, titled “Revisiting the Samanid tomb in Bukhara: A New Perspective on New Materials.” In this talk, I will reexamine the Samanid tomb in Bukhara, exploring this medieval tomb through newly available evidence in several key areas. First, I will document the architectural features of the Samanid tomb, incorporating archaeological findings and photo documentation. This will make it possible to identify the stratigraphical “biography” of the site and the physical state of the monument before it was altered by preservationists—an important factor not considered by architectural historians. In addition, I bring the Khuttalon votive, a newly excavated artefact towards understanding the style of the Samanid tomb into the stylistic discussion. By this, I hope to raise awareness of the weaknesses of both the Persian- centered and Sogdian-centered perspectives in explaining the development of Islamic architecture in Central Asia. Lastly, I will employ the mausoleum’s site plan and endowment deeds as primary sources to provide additional historical context regarding the monument’s construction. Discussions will cover the support of the tenth century Bukharan patron, his selective stylistic choices, and the building’s role within the broader societal context.

This talk is part of the King's Silk Roads series.

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• King's Silk Roads
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