Nearly 500 exhibits missing from Kokand museum...

Serious discrepancies have been uncovered during an ongoing inventory process in the collections of Uzbekistan's museums. It has been revealed that nearly 500 exhibits from the Kokand State Museum-Reserve and its branches, as well as 16 exhibits from the Sirdaryo State Museum, are missing, despite being recorded in the museum's inventory.

Relevant documents have been submitted to the prosecutor's office to provide a legal assessment of the situation. It has not yet been disclosed when or under what circumstances the exhibits went missing.

Large-scale inventory underway in national museums

Inventory work is being carried out in the collections of national museums to assess the preservation status of museum items and collections.

During the inspection, it was noted that certain items listed in the inventory documents were not actually present in their designated locations.

The largest discrepancy was identified at the Kokand State Museum-Reserve and its branches.

Nearly 500 exhibits missing in Kokand

According to the inventory commission, nearly 500 museum items are missing from the Kokand State Museum-Reserve and its branches.

Among the institutions where discrepancies were recorded is the Gafur Gulam Kokand Literature Museum.

So far, there have been no official answers to the following questions:

• since when the exhibits have been missing;

• their historical and material value;

• what factors caused the discrepancy;

• whether there is a possibility of recovering the items.

16 items also missing from Sirdaryo museum

In the Sirdaryo Regional State Museum of History and Culture, 16 exhibits that were listed in the inventory were also found to be missing.

These figures were recorded by the inventory commission, and the reasons for the disappearance may be determined during investigations and audits.

Documents submitted to the prosecutor's office

Documents have been sent to the prosecutor's office to provide a legal assessment of the identified cases in accordance with the law and to take appropriate measures.

So far, no information has been provided regarding the responsible individuals, the potential amount of damage, or whether a criminal case has been initiated. Therefore, the exact causes of the discrepancy will be known after the investigation by the competent authorities.

The issue of museum collection preservation back on the agenda

Museum exhibits are part of the country's historical and cultural heritage. Each of them must be properly registered, preserved, and their movement monitored.

The results of the inventory highlight the need to revise the control, accounting, and storage systems in the museum collections of Kokand and Sirdaryo. The results of the investigation are expected to clarify how the discrepancy occurred and who is responsible for it.

In your opinion, how should control over the preservation of museum exhibits be strengthened? Leave your thoughts in the comments.