Uzbekistan: WOSCU and the Center for Islamic Civilization have returned lost heritage from the UK.

The Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in London hosted an international media event, "The History and Cultural Heritage of the Great Temurids," dedicated to the 690th anniversary of the birth of the great statesman and military leader Amir Temur. The event brought together leading British and international historians, orientalists, representatives of the diplomatic corps, the scientific community, cultural circles, and international organizations. The evening featured special presentations on the personality of Amir Temur, his role in world history, the achievements of the Timurid era, and Uzbekistan's contemporary initiatives to preserve historical heritage. A highlight of the evening was the premiere of the new mini-film "The Golden Age of the Timurids," starring Sir Ben Kingsley, a distinguished British actor.

Of particular interest was the presentation of a new publication prepared by WOSCU as part of the "Uzbekistan's Cultural Heritage in World Collections" series—Firuza Melville's "The Manuscript Heritage of Central Asia in the Cambridge University Libraries," dedicated to the region's unique written monuments.

The event culminated in a formal ceremony for the return of Uzbekistan's cultural treasures, which generated great interest among the participants. Among the returned items were ten priceless artifacts dating back to various eras in the history of Central Asia. Some of the finds are related to the Kushan period, ancient Termez, Buddhist artistic traditions, and the heritage of Sogdiana. Some items date from the 2nd to 8th centuries AD. The list of returned heritage also includes a unique Timurid cenotaph, which belonged to a royal family.

- The return of the historical artifacts was the result of extensive and painstaking international work that lasted several months. Dozens of specialists, experts, lawyers, art historians, and law enforcement officials from several countries were involved in this event. The return process began after information was received about the items, presumably originating from Uzbekistan. Following this, an international working group was formed by the Center for Islamic Civilization with the support of international specialists – WOSCU members, art historians, and cultural heritage experts. Today, we express our sincere gratitude to everyone who participated in the implementation of this important program, and first and foremost to the OSCE, the Art Loss Register, the Metropolitan Police, relevant UK government agencies, international experts, and all partners who contributed to the return of cultural property from Uzbekistan,” emphasized Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan and Chairman of the Board of WOSCU.

WOSCU played a key role in the return process, having in recent years become one of the most effective international mechanisms for the search, study, and return of Uzbekistan's cultural heritage from foreign collections.

For UK law enforcement agencies, participating in the return of cultural property to its rightful owner is an important part of international efforts to combat illicit property trafficking and art crime. We are proud to have the opportunity today to hand over these valuables to the people of Uzbekistan. We see the great attention that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev places on issues of culture, historical memory, and the return of national heritage. All this creates important conditions for such initiatives and unites the efforts of different countries for a noble cause," noted Detective Superintendent Kerry Wood, head of the Economic Crime Unit.

According to experts, among the returned objects, a special place is occupied by sculpted heads made of stucco and terracotta, dating from approximately the 2nd to 5th centuries CE. Such works are typical of the cultural environment of the Kushan period and the Buddhist artistic centers of ancient Termez, including Kara-Tepe, Fayaz-Tepe, and Dalverzintepa. Of no less interest are fragments of ancient wall paintings. Some of them may be associated with the Sogdian artistic tradition of the 7th to 8th centuries or with earlier monumental schools of southern Uzbekistan.

- The returned objects are of exceptional historical and scientific value, as they belong to various eras of the territory's ancient history. "The objects represent the history of modern Uzbekistan and reflect the diversity of civilizational processes that have taken place in Central Asia over the centuries," noted Dr. Farhod Maksudov, Director of the Institute of Anthropology of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

After arriving in Tashkent, the objects will undergo additional attribution, restoration examination, and scientific description. This will allow them to be introduced into international academic circulation and presented to the general public for the first time as a returned part of Uzbekistan's historical memory.

The ceremony included the ceremonial signing of official documents and the exchange of certificates confirming the legal transfer of the returned cultural treasures to the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. This act has become an important symbol of international cooperation, the restoration of historical justice, and the return of priceless relics to their historical homeland.

This event could mark the beginning of a new phase: following London, similar processes are possible in other countries where objects originating from Uzbekistan are located. Such examples demonstrate that international cooperation and responsible treatment of cultural heritage can restore historical justice and return priceless treasures to peoples, noted Art Loss Register Chairman James Radcliffe.

This act has become an important symbol of international cooperation, trust, legal responsibility, and the restoration of historical justice.