Terracotta sculpture (or coroplastics) is the art small figures of clay, known in Central Asia since ancient times. At the beginning of the Iron Age, this tradition ceased because the depiction of gods was forbidden in early Zoroastrianism.
It is believed that clay figurines were small copies of the statues of the revered gods. These ceramic examples themselves served as examples for the creation of numerous other figurines. However, over time, the sculptures decreased in size, and their details changed. Ancient figurines are covered with reddish-brown engobe. The figurines depicting female horsemen date back to late antiquity and the early Middle Ages; they may have been goddesses-horsemen.
Another type of female figurine, widespread in Sogdiana in the 6th-7th centuries, is the depiction of mourners and singers.
Female figurines
Two types of female figurines found in Samarkand date back to the beginning of the Common Era. One is depicted in the form of a well-built woman, wearing a waistcoat over a dress with a long hem, a cloak on her head, and holding a trefoil in her hand. Apparently, she is the goddess of water and fertility - Ardvisura Anahita.
The second type of figurines has a folded dress, similar to the Greek chiton, with a turban, cap, or cloak on the head, and round fruits (pomegranate or apple) in their hands. On figurines of this type, a baby is sometimes depicted below. Undoubtedly, she was a highly respected Nanna in Sogdiana. Temples were built in honor of Nanna, and she was depicted in various art monuments.
The figurines depicting female horsemen date back to late antiquity and the early Middle Ages; they may have been goddesses-horsemen.
Another type of female figurine, widespread in Sogdiana in the 6th-7th centuries, is the depiction of mourners and singers.
Male figurines
The most widespread male figurine is a standing young man in local clothing, wearing a long headwear with a curved tip - a kuloh, which is fashionable among Sogdians and Saka. There is a hypothesis that this is an image of Mithra, the sun god in the form of a shepherd.
Among the Afrasiab terracottas, the majority are male musician figurines. They are in the form of playing the ud, nay, chiltor, or drum. There are also terracottas in the form of horsemen.
