Portrait gallery home

Excavations in 2006 and 2007 have uncovered the remains of a unique portrait gallery in the fill of the northern section of the western corridor. As no portraits have been found in situ, a reconstruction of the gallery is very difficult. It is also difficult to say exactly how many portraits are preserved as we are still processing the fragments from the 2007 field season. The portraits are bust portraits showing frontal shoulders and profile faces, looking either to the north or the south. Each portrait is individually framed with a narrow black line. The physiognomy of each portrait is essentially schematised. However, the costume worn by each personage is various, and provides unique insight into the visual construction of identities in early Chorasmia. The absence of facial hair on all of the portraits raises significant questions about the gender of those portrayed. Below are images showing field and laboratory photos of untreated portrait fragments found in the gallery. Click on the 'portraits' tabs (left) to see more images.