Exhibition «And the Centuries Passed to the Chime of Bells»

About exhibition

The exhibition tells the story of ancient caravan trade routes that for many thousands of years intersected across the territory of the Southern Urals and made this region a distinctive ethnocultural space, where communication between peoples is a unique historical phenomenon. The display will reflect the history of interaction between the inhabitants of the Ural region and distant neighbors from all four corners of the globe. Beginning in the Bronze Age with the emergence of pastoral tribes, the first chariots and draft animals in the steppes of the Southern Urals, and continuing through the caravan trade routes, the construction of Ural fortresses and the celebrated Troitsk Fair — up to the beginning of the 20th century. The exhibition will feature ancient vessels from various periods, imported stone and glass beads and other ornaments. Bronze cauldrons and mirrors, items from the Hunnic–Sarmatian period — stirrups, coins, weapons — will illustrate evidence of long-distance contacts. Visitors will see extremely rare Chinese and Roman trinkets found in Ural burials, reconstructions of the oldest wheels, and objects from excavations of old Chelyabinsk. Elements of traditional costumes, items of “Ural export” and even a unique herbarium containing a plant that appeared in the southern Trans-Urals thanks to the work of tea-packing factories will help trace distant trade connections.