The Soul of the Middle East & South Asia

A Curated Digital Encyclopedia

Archives

The Met Collection

Explore the Archives
Living Traditions

UNESCO Intangible Heritage

Whistled language
Urgent Safeguarding List

Whistled language

Whistled language is a method of communication that uses whistling to simulate and articulate words. The practice developed as a result of the steep…

Explore
Chogān, a horse-riding game accompanied by music and storytelling
Representative List

Chogān, a horse-riding game accompanied by music and storytelling

Chogān is a traditional horse-riding game accompanied by music and storytelling; it has a history of over 2,000 years in Iran and has mostly been…

Explore
Ala-kiyiz and Shyrdak, art of Kyrgyz traditional felt carpets
Urgent Safeguarding List

Ala-kiyiz and Shyrdak, art of Kyrgyz traditional felt carpets

Traditional felt carpets are one of the foremost arts of the Kyrgyz people and an integral part of their cultural heritage. The Kyrgyz traditionally…

Explore
Meidan Emam, Esfahan
Archaeological Wonders

Ancient Cities of the Silk Road

Discover the architectural majesty of ancient cities that once stood as the beating hearts of global trade, science, and art.

Curated Taxonomies

Period

Period

Antiquity to Modernity

Medium

Medium

Silk, Stone, & Clay

Culture

Culture

A Tapestry of Peoples