New research published in the journal Nature reveals the discovery of two previously unknown medieval cities, Tashbulak and Tugunbulak, located along the ancient Silk Road in Uzbekistan. These fortified settlements were uncovered using drone technology, providing a new perspective on the extent of the Silk Road network. The cities, located in a mountainous region, were once bustling urban centers despite their isolation and elevation.
Led by Michael Frachetti of Washington University in St. Louis and Farhod Maksudov of Uzbekistan’s National Center of Archaeology, the research team used LiDAR technology to map the cities in great detail. The images captured show watchtowers, fortresses, complex buildings, and plazas, providing insight into the structure of these ancient settlements.
Frachetti’s team began archaeological work at Tashbulak in 2011 and at Tugunbulak in 2018, but the project was put on hold due to pandemic travel restrictions. The discovery of these cities challenges previous assumptions about the Silk Road, showcasing a more extensive network of trade routes than previously thought. The cities are believed to have been home to various communities, including craftsmen, traders, herders, political elites, and soldiers.
Radiocarbon dating indicates that both cities declined rapidly in the first half of the 11th century, likely due to political divisions and overexploitation of nearby forest resources. Frachetti hopes that ongoing archaeological excavations will provide further insights into the reasons for the decline of these once-thriving urban centers. The discovery of Tashbulak and Tugunbulak sheds light on the complexity of upland urban landscapes in Central Asia and highlights the importance of using modern technology for archaeological research.
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