When relics speak: Sphinx-shaped pendant from Uzbekistan

Since 2012, Chinese and Uzbek archaeologists have been working side by side on excavations across Uzbekistan – from Mingtepa and Sazagan to Rabot and Mengchaktepa – uncovering rich traces of the past while deepening cultural ties. Among their discoveries is a sphinx-shaped pendant found at the Rabot site in Baysun, Surxondaryo region, near the country's southeastern edge.

Whispering echoes of ancient Egypt, this small yet delicate relic reawakened in the heart of Central Asia – a symbol of how cultures met, blended, and left lasting imprints along the way. Once worn close to the heart, it now listens to the rhythm of a new world. Its graceful form speaks to ancient Uzbekistan's role as a vital crossroads between East and West, reminding us that the Silk Road carried far more than goods – it carried stories, shared heritage, and connections that endure.