Archaeologists excavating a Hellenistic-era site in Ancient Bactria have discovered a hoard of silver-gilded pomegranate-shaped votive offerings. These meticulously crafted artifacts, dating to the 5th century BCE, were found buried around a central courtyard intended for public gatherings. Analysis suggests they were central to the "Festival of the Red Blossom," a spring celebration that predates modern regional flower festivals.
The votives were often filled with aromatic resins and seeds, intended to represent fertility and the awakening of the land after winter. The discovery emphasizes the continuity of floral-based celebrations in the region and provides a clear archaeological link between early Persian traditions and the later cultural syncretism of the Silk Road.