Recent excavations at a Greco-Bactrian site in modern-day Uzbekistan have revealed a series of subterranean ritual chambers specifically designed for the storage of aromatic flower petals. Chemical analysis of the residue in several stone vats showed high concentrations of Crocus sativus (saffron) and wild tulips, confirming the existence of a highly organized "First-Bud" festival that predates the formalization of Nowruz traditions in the region.
The pits were strategically located near a central temple plaza, suggesting that the scent of crushed flowers was a primary component of the public processional rites. Documents found in the same layer suggest that the festival involved the distribution of scented oils to the populace, highlighting a sophisticated administrative effort to manage the harvest and distribution of floral resources for the state-sanctioned spring celebration.