Archaeology - The Times Of Central Asia

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Archaeology

Kazakhstan’s Ancient Karakabak Reveals New Silk Road Links

Archaeologists studying the ancient settlement of Karakabak in Kazakhstan’s Mangistau Region say new findings show the site was part of ancient trade routes linking East and West. The archaeological site is located in Tupkaragan District on the Caspian Sea coast and dates to the 1st to 6th centuries AD. It was first discovered in 2006 during the compilation of Mangistau’s official register of historical monuments by the Mangistau State Historical and Cultural Reserve. Since 2022, excavations and research at Karakabak have been carried out by the Margulan Institute of Archaeology. Researchers have published 24 academic works based on materials from the site, including three monographs and nine articles indexed in the Scopus database. The site was recently visited by scientists and archaeologists working on projects to develop Mangistau’s tourism potential. During the field visit, participants reviewed excavation results and discussed additional research, as well as possible inclusion of Karakabak in regional tourism routes. According to researchers, Karakabak served for several centuries as a center of craft production and trade. Finds point to metallurgy, jewelry-making, glassmaking, and ceramic production. Archaeologists have uncovered locally produced goods as well as imported materials from across Eurasia. [caption id="attachment_50477" align="aligncenter" width="1087"] @gov.kz[/caption] “Of particular scientific interest is a collection of more than 150 coins dating from the 1st century to the first half of the 6th century AD,” archaeologist Andrey Astafyev said. “Among them are issues from Parthia, Ancient Khorezm, Bukhara Sogd, Sasanian Iran, the Kushano-Sasanian state, the Byzantine Empire and China. These finds confirm Karakabak’s active participation in the international trade and economic networks of its time.” Scholars now regard Karakabak as a major ancient trade and transport hub. Researchers believe one branch of the Silk Road may have passed through Mangistau, connecting Central Asia, the Caspian region, and Eastern Europe. Researchers are also studying a possible Azov-Caspian trade corridor that was previously unknown. Based on the findings, Karakabak may have been one of the centers in this network. Evidence points to contacts with the North Caucasus, the Azov region, the Lower and Middle Volga, the Southern Urals, as well as states in Central Asia and the Middle East. “Karakabak allows us to look at the history of Mangistau and Kazakhstan’s place in ancient international communications from a new perspective,” Astafyev said. “The archaeological evidence confirms that this region served for centuries as an important link in trade routes connecting East and West.” The recent discovery of an ancient jug, preliminarily dated to the 6th century AD, has drawn additional attention to the site. Specialists hope its study will provide new insights into the daily life and craft traditions of the settlement’s inhabitants. Researchers are also exploring a possible connection between Karakabak and the ancient city of Aspabota, which was marked on the maps of Greek geographer Claudius Ptolemy as a settlement on the eastern Caspian coast. [caption id="attachment_50478" align="aligncenter" width="720"] @gov.kz[/caption] Scholars say discoveries in recent years have expanded understanding of Mangistau’s historical importance. They confirm that the region was part of trade...

Archaeology

Bronze Age Trepanation in Uzbekistan May Be Central Asia’s Oldest Evidence of Surgery

Archaeologists working in southern Uzbekistan have uncovered what may be the earliest known evidence of surgery in Central Asia. The discovery involves the remains of a Bronze Age child whose skull bears signs of trepanation, a procedure involving the deliberate opening of the skull. The discovery was reported by the Turkish archaeology magazine Arkeofili, citing research conducted by a joint Italian-Uzbek archaeological team in the historic region of Northern Bactria, near the present-day border with Afghanistan. Researchers found the skeleton of a child who died at about age five in a shared grave with another child believed to have been about three years old. The burial dates to the late third millennium BCE, approximately 4,000 years ago. According to the researchers, the older child’s skull shows clear traces of cranial trepanation, likely performed using stone or bone tools. The marks indicate that the skull was intentionally opened, making it one of the oldest known examples of surgical intervention in Asia and potentially the earliest documented evidence of surgery in Central Asia. Trepanation was practiced in various ancient societies around the world. Scholars believe it may have been used to treat conditions such as head injuries, epilepsy, severe headaches, or behavioral disorders. However, researchers note that in prehistoric societies, the boundary between medicine and ritual practice was often unclear. The remains were discovered during excavations at Djarkutan, one of the major urban centers of the Oxus Civilization, also known as the Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex. The civilization flourished across parts of modern-day Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan between roughly 2500 BCE and 1500 BCE. It was known for its advanced agricultural systems, urban settlements, and rich material culture. The discovery adds to growing evidence that ancient Central Asia played a significant role in the development of early human societies. Last year, an international team of archaeologists reported finding evidence that hunter-gatherer communities in Uzbekistan’s Surkhandarya Valley harvested wild barley about 9,200 years ago. Researchers said the finding challenged the long-held view that the origins of agriculture were limited primarily to the Fertile Crescent.

Cultural Heritage

From Golden Treasures to Looted Burial Mounds: How “Black Diggers” Are Destroying Eastern Kazakhstan’s History

Eastern Kazakhstan has gained international recognition for its extraordinary archaeological discoveries, but alongside that fame has come a growing threat: illegal treasure hunters, known locally as “black diggers,” are destroying historical monuments and depriving future generations of access to invaluable artifacts. Eastern Kazakhstan’s Archaeological Treasures In recent years, the Eastern Kazakhstan has become one of the most important archaeological regions in Central Asia. Researchers have uncovered ancient burial complexes belonging to the Saka, nomadic peoples of the early Iron Age whose sophisticated culture has challenged long-standing assumptions about the civilizations of the Eurasian steppe. Excavations at the Shilikty, Eleke Sazy, and Berel burial mounds have revealed thousands of gold ornaments, clothing adornments, and ceremonial decorations noted for their craftsmanship and artistic sophistication. At the Shilikty necropolis, archaeologists uncovered burials containing unique gold jewelry, including earrings, bracelets, fibulae, and miniature decorative elements used on clothing. Each object demonstrates extraordinary craftsmanship, intricate ornamentation, and meticulous attention to detail. [caption id="attachment_49642" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] @Yulia Chernyavskaya[/caption] At Eleke Sazy, archaeologists found an intact burial containing jewelry, clothing adornments, horse harness ornaments, and other decorative objects associated with a teenage archer who was no older than 18. A heavily looted grave of a girl aged 13 or 14, thought to have been his sister, was found nearby. Berel yielded particularly significant discoveries, including gold and bronze ornaments, clothing fragments, and horse trappings that reveal the high artistic culture of the ancient nomads. Artifacts from Berel were later displayed at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, England, as part of the exhibition Gold of the Great Steppe, drawing widespread attention from scholars and visitors. The discoveries quickly gained international recognition and confirmed the sophisticated level of Saka civilization. Equally striking finds emerged from the Kurchum district, where archaeologists uncovered horse equipment, including bits, saddles, and straps, crafted from gold and preserved for millennia. These objects demonstrate that the nomadic cultures of Eastern Kazakhstan possessed metallurgical and jewelry-making skills comparable to the great centers of ancient craftsmanship. Every archaeological discovery offers another glimpse into the past, a chance to better understand the daily life, beliefs, and culture of the Saka. Yet these discoveries remain vulnerable to destruction by illegal excavators. The Rise of the Black Diggers Alongside the archaeological boom has come a darker phenomenon: the rapid growth of illegal treasure hunting. Rather than preserving history, black diggers destroy burial mounds and ancient cemeteries in search of gold and valuables, obliterating archaeological layers and artifacts that could provide scientists with invaluable information about the past. In many cases, illegal diggers arrive at excavation sites before archaeologists have even begun clearing the area. In pursuit of treasure, they use shovels and metal detectors, as well as heavy machinery such as bulldozers and excavators, which strip away entire layers of earth and destroy everything in their path. The scale of the destruction has become alarming. [caption id="attachment_49643" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] @Yulia Chernyavskaya[/caption] [caption id="attachment_49644" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] @Yulia Chernyavskaya[/caption] Last year, more than 200 burial mounds in the Zharma district of Kazakhstan’s...

Archaeology

Remains of Buddhist Temple Unearthed in Ancient Silk Road City in Kyrgyzstan

The remains of what is believed to be a Buddhist temple dating to the 7th and 8th centuries have been discovered at the medieval Ak-Beshim archaeological site, the ruins of the ancient Silk Road city of Suyab in northern Kyrgyzstan, according to the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic. Located seven kilometers southwest of Tokmok, Suyab was a major Silk Road city between the 5th and 8th centuries. It was the capital of the Western Turkic Khaganate and an important center for Sogdian merchants on the Chang’an-Tian Shan route, now part of a UNESCO World Heritage corridor. Chinese historical sources suggest that the celebrated poet Li Bai, born in 701 and believed to have died in 762 or 763, may have been born in Suyab. Suyab declined in the 11th century with the rise of Balasagun, another historic city in the Chui Valley located near the famed Burana Tower. The discovery was made by a Kyrgyz-Japanese archaeological expedition during excavations conducted since early May. Researchers uncovered a platform, ramp, and staircase constructed of baked brick. Experts believe these architectural elements are characteristic of temple architecture from China’s Tang Dynasty. The discovery also supports a hypothesis put forward by renowned Soviet archaeologist Alexander Bernshtam, who in the late 1940s suggested the existence of a Buddhist religious structure in the area. Archaeological work carried out in 2025-2026 has opened new chapters in the history of Buddhism in Suyab. Joint Kyrgyz-Japanese research at the site has been underway since 2012. Efforts are currently underway to reclassify the land where excavations are taking place as protected historical and cultural territory. If approved, authorities plan to establish an open-air museum at the site. It was previously reported that archaeologists had also uncovered what is believed to be the oldest Christian structure found in Kyrgyzstan, a Nestorian church dating to the 7th or 8th century. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that the Ministry of Culture, Information and Youth Policy of Kyrgyzstan and the Dunhuang Research Academy established a joint laboratory for cultural heritage preservation that will oversee conservation work at the Ak-Beshim archaeological site.

Archaeology

Chinese Uzbek Archaeologists Uncover Ancient City Walls at Kuva Silk Road Site

A team of Chinese and Uzbek archaeologists has uncovered a well-preserved section of city walls at the ancient settlement of Kuva in eastern Uzbekistan, dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 10th century CE, according to a report published by Xinhua. The discovery was made by the joint Luoyang-Ferghana archaeological expedition. Researchers say the find offers critical physical evidence for understanding the historical development of a Silk Road city and the enduring cultural exchange between East and West. The team also hailed the excavation as a key achievement of international cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. Located in the Ferghana Valley, a historic hub along the ancient Silk Road, the ruins of Kuva cover an area of approximately 110,000 square meters. Xinhua noted that the valley has maintained close ties with China for over 2,000 years. Preliminary findings indicate that the city’s fortifications were rebuilt multiple times and remained in use across several historical eras from the Parthian Kingdom and the states of Dayuan and Sogdiana to the Samanid dynasty. Liu Bin, head of the Chinese delegation to the joint expedition, said the evolving construction techniques used in the walls provide valuable insights into the architectural practices, building materials, and cultural influences of different periods. He added that such features help trace the diffusion of cultural traditions along major trade routes. The Luoyang-Ferghana team was established in 2023 as a collaboration between the Luoyang Archaeological Institute in China’s Henan Province and Ferghana State University in Uzbekistan. Since then, archaeologists have identified palaces, city gates, fortifications, residential structures, streets, and craft workshops at the site. Liu Bin noted that systematic excavations of the palace areas are planned for next year, which will further clarify the city’s layout and functional zones. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, similar Chinese-Uzbek archaeological partnerships are underway in Surkhandarya, Samarkand, Ferghana, and Khorezm. These projects have led to discoveries of ancient settlements, urban infrastructure, and even an Iron Age city-state, underscoring the growing scope of bilateral archaeological cooperation in Uzbekistan.

Science

Kazakh Archaeologists Contribute to Landmark Discovery on the Origins of Dog Domestication

A groundbreaking study co-authored by Kazakh archaeologists has challenged long-held assumptions about the history of dog domestication. The research, titled “Wide Diversity of Dogs Thousands of Years Before Modern Breeding Methods,” was published in Science, the oldest scientific journal in the U.S. The study was led by researchers from the University of Exeter (UK) and France’s National Center for Scientific Research and included contributions from 40 institutions worldwide. Kazakh scientists V.K. Merz and I.V. Merz of Toraygyrov University, along with E.R. Usmanova and V.V. Varfolomeev of the E.A. Buketov Karaganda National Research University, were among the co-authors. The international team conducted a comprehensive comparative analysis of 643 dog and wolf skulls spanning the last 50,000 years from the Pleistocene to the present day. Using high-resolution 3D scanning, they analyzed over 600 specimens, revealing that dogs already displayed significant morphological diversity during the early Holocene epoch. This diversity, previously believed to be the result of 19th-century selective breeding, was shown to have originated far earlier. The analysis traced the emergence of distinct dog types, including variations in size and skull structure, as early as 11,000 years ago. By the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods, dogs had already begun to differ in form, likely reflecting specialized roles such as hunting, guarding, and herding within human societies. The researchers concluded that functional differentiation was a key driver in the development of what would eventually become distinct breeds. Their findings refute the common belief that modern breed variation is a relatively recent phenomenon. In fact, many differences in skull shape and size long predate the advent of formal breeding practices. Kazakhstan’s archaeological collections and local expertise played a significant role in the project, underscoring the country’s growing contributions to global archaeozoological research. Kazakhstan’s Broader Scientific Advances In addition to this landmark discovery, Kazakh scientists continue to make technological strides across disciplines. Researchers at the Institute of Combustion Problems have developed a device capable of converting hydrocarbon gases into 98.9% pure hydrogen and technical carbon in a single stage. Operating at plasma temperatures of up to 2,700°C, the unit requires no catalysts and consumes less energy than traditional methods. It also produces giant nanotubes with diameters reaching 100 nanometres. Meanwhile, scientists at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University have introduced a mobile preservation unit capable of drying and storing a wide range of food products from fruit to fish for up to 10 to 50 years using specialized packaging. These developments signal Kazakhstan’s expanding role in cutting-edge research and innovation across multiple scientific domains.