In Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan many outstanding archaeological sites and cultural artifacts along the Silk Road are either not yet recognized and mapped or are not preserved and protected.

Indiana University, American University – Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan) and the Bukhara State Museum Preserve (Uzbekistan) will partner to develop a cooperative community-based approach for protecting archeological sites. The partnership will bring together Uzbek and Kyrgyz host communities, along with tour operators, regional museums and universities as stakeholders in the preservation of unique archeological sites. The partnership activities will include the following:

• Three community workshops;
• US study tour for Central Asian participants, including visits and interaction with to indigenous communities in the American Southwest;
• Final capstone workshop to share best practices with Kyrgyz and Uzbek local and national officials to include members of Native American indigenous communities;
• Model archeological research and preservation of two sites in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan; and
• Development of community museums in both countries.

These activities are designed to engage the interest of local communities by involving them in the investigation and management of their cultural heritage sites and opening up the possibility of sustainable development through tourism. These two communities will serve as demonstration projects in cultural heritage management in their respective countries.

For more information about this program, please contact:  Julie Smith.

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