The U.S. Ambassador John Mark Pommersheim to Tajikistan has visited the Tajik northern city of Panjakent to launch the Preservation and Restoration of the Ancient Panjakent Archeological Site Project.
The project has been proposed by the Public Organization Javononi Peshsaf and is financed by the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe.
A total cost of the project, which is designed for 18 months, is 186.766 U.S. dollars.
Ancient Panjakent is remarkable due to the state of its preservation. Having been abandoned suddenly and never built over, it is still possible to walk the streets laid out much the same way as they were the day the Arabs came. At its height in the 8th century, the city covered around 20ha, and about half of this area has been carefully excavated, with finds being removed to the National Museum in Dushanbe and the local Roudaki Museum. Most impressive among the buildings are the citadel on top of the hill overlooking the city, the necropolis, and the fine, once multi-storied buildings where the famous frescoes were discovered.
It is to be noted that such cultural heritage preservation projects are funded by the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), which was created in 2001 to support the preservation of cultural heritage and demonstrate U.S. respect for other cultures, their history, and rich traditions. Cultural heritage endures as a reminder of the contributions and historical experiences of all humanity. To date, the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe has funded 17 projects in Tajikistan, providing over $ 806,424 in AFCP grants.
