CLASSIFICATION OF ANTIQUE ZOOMORPHIC SCULPTURES IN THE TERRITORY OF ANCIENT KHWAREZM AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO ZOROASTRIANISM

Abstract

This article identifies and analyzes the find contexts of zoomorphic (animal)
sculptures discovered in the territory of ancient Khwarezm and examines their connection with
the Zoroastrian religion. According to a number of researchers, elements of Zoroastrianism
manifested in Khwarezm; archaeological investigations have made it possible to uncover and
study the region’s most ancient sculptural monuments. The proposed classification of these
sculptures highlights characteristic features that can be correlated with Zoroastrian religious
concepts.