Archaeology - The Times Of Central Asia

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Beneath the Silk Road: China’s Archaeological Diplomacy in Uzbekistan

As China’s economic footprint expands across Central Asia, Beijing is quietly pursuing another, subtler form of influence - one that reaches beneath the soil rather than above it. Alongside highways, pipelines, and industrial parks, China is investing in archaeological diplomacy that uses shared history and cultural discovery to deepen ties with its neighbors. Uzbekistan has emerged as a key partner in this effort. Beyond trade and infrastructure, the two countries are now working hand in hand to uncover the remnants of ancient civilizations that once thrived along the Silk Road. This collaboration combines science and strategy, offering a soft power approach that complements China’s growing hard power presence in the region. Across Uzbekistan’s Surkhandarya, Samarkand, Ferghana, and Khorezm regions, joint Chinese-Uzbek teams are making discoveries. One notable example is the joint Chinese-Uzbek team working at the Chinar-Tepa site in the upper Surkhandarya River valley, where researchers have uncovered more than 30 ancient house foundations along with a rich collection of cultural artifacts. Another major project has revealed the remains of an Iron Age city-state in the Surkhandarya River basin in southern Uzbekistan. These findings are the result of three excavation seasons conducted between 2024 and 2025, during which the joint team surveyed 47 sites across the basin and identified the area as a major center of ancient Bactria. This cooperation is not just confined to the field. In October 2023, Ferghana State University and Chinese partners launched a joint archaeology department. Their subsequent joint studies of the ancient city of Kuva have revealed key insights into urban planning, including city walls, moats, and roads dating back centuries. Meanwhile, China’s funding for the restoration of the ancient city of Khiva highlights another layer of cultural collaboration on the preservation of shared heritage. For both countries, archaeology is more than an academic pursuit; it's a bridge between culture, economy, and future cooperation. For Uzbekistan, cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva are already world-renowned tourist destinations. The government’s ambition to attract up to 15 million foreign visitors underscores tourism’s growing role in national development. Unearthing new historical sites expands this potential, offering travelers a richer experience that spans both the pre-Islamic and Islamic eras. Each discovery deepens the cultural map of Uzbekistan, and each new site means more visitors, more investment, and greater economic diversification for the state. Beyond the economic dimension, the partnership with China is also cultivating a new generation of experts in archaeology and heritage preservation. Many members of these joint excavation teams belong to the post-2000 generation, young professionals who are gaining firsthand experience through collaboration. With access to cutting-edge technologies such as drone-based aerial photography, geomagnetic surveying, and 3D modeling, Uzbek archaeologists and students are learning to combine traditional excavation with modern science. Over time, this knowledge transfer strengthens the country’s human capital base, empowering Uzbekistan to pursue its own archaeological research and heritage conservation independently on a larger scale. For China, promoting joint archaeological exploration aligns closely with the Belt and Road Initiative’s vision of soft connectivity....

Archaeology

East Kazakhstan’s Akbaur Stones: An Ancient Site Shrouded in Mystery

East Kazakhstan is home to one of Central Asia’s most enigmatic archaeological sites, the Akbaur complex. Often dubbed the “Kazakh Stonehenge,” it has been linked to ancient rituals, astronomical observations, and even cosmological legends. Despite decades of study, Akbaur continues to raise more questions than it answers. The Mysteries of Akbaur Archaeologists regard Akbaur as a unique cultural monument, though its true purpose remains debated. Some view it as an open-air temple, others as an ancient observatory or a major cult center for early civilizations of the region. More than a tourist attraction, Akbaur is a symbol of East Kazakhstan’s deep and still-unrevealed history. The site is not just a scattering of stones. It is a vast historical and architectural complex covering some 70,000 hectares, long surrounded by legends. Today, this area is protected by the state, and special permission is required to visit it, but just a few decades ago, both tourists and livestock roamed freely here. [caption id="attachment_36128" align="aligncenter" width="352"] @Yulia Chernyavskaya[/caption] For local residents, Akbaur holds sacred meaning. A tradition of leaving offerings has persisted through the centuries: small pieces of meat or fat are placed in shallow man-made depressions in stone slabs. A stone staircase, also human-made, leads to a grotto carved into the rock, and is believed to have carried symbolic as well as functional significance. Even the name “Akbaur” is contested. Possible Kazakh translations include “white liver,” “close relative,” and “mountain slope.” Though varied, each carries symbolic resonance with the site’s layered history. A Portal Between Worlds? The Akbaur complex is located near the village of Besterek, about 38 kilometers from Ust-Kamenogorsk. At first glance, the arrangement of boulders and slabs might appear natural. Archaeologists, however, identify the site as a Bronze Age monument. A conical grotto sits six meters above the mountain base, decorated with petroglyphs dating to the early 3rd millennium BCE. Around 80 images have been recorded, depicting humans, animals, dwellings, and tools, alongside more mysterious symbols. Interpretations range from cosmological signs to religious symbols, with fringe theories suggesting messages for descendants or even references to extraterrestrials. [caption id="attachment_36130" align="aligncenter" width="350"] @Yulia Chernyavskaya[/caption] [caption id="attachment_36131" align="aligncenter" width="350"] @Yulia Chernyavskaya[/caption] What makes the petroglyphs unique is their use of red ochre, a rare pigment in the region’s rock art. Some scholars speculate blood may have been mixed into the paint, adding a ritual dimension. The site’s natural features are equally intriguing. Above the grotto lies a massive slab with a heart-shaped hole, believed by some to have functioned as a “sky window” for astronomical observations. Elsewhere, stone “bowls” reveal remarkable precision: during the spring equinox, sunlight reflecting on water in one cavity aligns exactly with another, suggesting their use as a solar calendar. Other theories propose more practical functions. The depressions could have been used in sacrifices or metallurgy, given the discovery of nearby ingots matching their shapes. What Does Akbaur Hide? Systematic study of Akbaur began in the 1970s under archaeologist Zainolla Samashev, a native of East Kazakhstan. Since 2019, excavations...

Archaeology

Underwater Secrets of the Steppe: Archaeologists Unearth Ancient Artifacts in Kazakhstan’s Bogen Reservoir

A team of archaeologists from the Zhanibekov University Research Center has uncovered a trove of ancient artifacts at the Bogen Reservoir in the Ordabasy district of Kazakhstan’s Turkestan region. An unusually dry season significantly lowered the water level, revealing archaeological remains hidden for centuries. Paleolithic Tools and Bronze Age Burials Within just one week of surveying, researchers recovered dozens of Late Paleolithic and Mesolithic stone tools, including chalcedony flakes, cores, and cutting plates. Several Bronze Age burial sites were also excavated. While skeletal remains were poorly preserved, the grave goods were remarkable: decorated ceramics, a gold-plated bronze temple ornament, rings, bracelets, earrings, and hundreds of tiny beads likely used in headdresses. A particularly notable discovery was a burial dated to the 1st century BC-1st century AD. It contained three socketed arrowheads, a utility knife, a belt buckle, and a ceramic jug. Experts say such finds affirm the continuous human settlement of the region over millennia. After analysis, the artifacts will be transferred to a local museum. Bronze Knives, a Saka Ring, and a Lost Medieval City Earlier this year, The Times of Central Asia reported that archaeologists from Margulan University had unearthed two bronze knives near Lake Toraygyr. While attributed to the early Saka period, their design reflects stylistic elements of the Early Iron Age, evidence of both advanced metallurgy and cultural connectivity across Central Asia. At another site, researchers from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University discovered a gold ring from the Scythian era, weighing nearly 8 grams and featuring a lion motif. Experts interpret the human-animal hybrid symbolism as representative of the spiritual worldview of Saka elites in the 4th-3rd centuries BC. The burial also contained the remains of a man and a woman, alongside stone, iron, and gold artifacts. In Zhetysu, archaeologists revealed the ruins of a medieval city likely destroyed during the Mongol invasions. Excavations uncovered preserved brickwork, a defensive tower, and evidence of intense fire damage. Experts have drawn comparisons with other UNESCO-listed sites such as Talgar (Talhiz) and Koilyk. Meanwhile, the Saryarka Archaeological Institute has identified 25 historical and cultural sites in the Shet district of central Kazakhstan. These range from the Bronze Age through the Iron Age and into the medieval period. Excavations are pending, awaiting official permits. The “Golden Man” of East Kazakhstan and the Buddhist Crossroads One of the country’s most celebrated discoveries in recent years remains the 2018 unearthing of the so-called “Golden Man of East Kazakhstan” by archaeologist Zeinolla Samashev. More than 3,000 gold artifacts, including earrings, necklaces, and horse harness ornaments, were recovered from a burial dating to the 7th-8th centuries BC. Further south, in the Aiyrandy Gorge of the Merke district, archaeologists uncovered the remains of an ancient Buddhist temple, including a carved stone head of the Buddha. The find underscores the region’s historic role as a crossroads of religions and cultures along the Silk Road. From Paleolithic tools and Saka-era treasures to lost medieval cities and Buddhist sanctuaries, Kazakhstan’s recent archaeological discoveries reveal an extraordinary continuity of settlement...

Discovery in Uzbekistan Reveals Early Steps Toward Agriculture 9,200 Years Ago

An international team of archaeologists has uncovered evidence that hunter-gatherer communities in southern Uzbekistan were harvesting wild barley as far back as 9,200 years ago, reshaping current understanding of how agriculture first emerged. Until now, scholars largely believed that the domestication of crops such as barley and wheat began in the Fertile Crescent about 10,000 years ago, particularly among the Natufian people. But new findings from Uzbekistan’s Surkandarya Valley indicate that the cultural practices leading to farming extended much further afield. Researchers argue this challenges long-held assumptions that agriculture arose only once, in response to climate change or population pressures, in a single geographic cradle. Excavations at Toda Cave The discovery was made at Toda Cave, excavated under the direction of Xinying Zhou of the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing, with oversight from Farhad Maksudov, director of the Institute of Archaeology in Samarkand. From the cave’s oldest layers, the team recovered stone tools, charcoal, and plant remains. Archaeobotanical analysis by Robert Spengler of the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology confirmed the presence of wild barley, along with pistachio shells and apple seeds, suggesting a diverse diet. Stone blades and flakes, mostly made from limestone, showed clear use-wear patterns consistent with cutting grasses and plants. These tools closely resemble those found at early farming sites elsewhere. Rethinking the Origins of Agriculture “This discovery should change the way scientists think about the transition from foraging to farming,” Zhou said. Spengler added that repeated harvesting of wild plants may have led to unintentional domestication, with early foragers gradually shaping the plants they relied on. The researchers suggest that the behaviors seen in Toda Cave could represent either an independent experiment in cultivation or evidence of an earlier-than-assumed eastward spread of farming traditions from the Fertile Crescent. Either way, the findings highlight the role of Central Asia in the global story of agriculture. Next Steps The team plans to expand excavations in the region to determine whether similar practices existed among other communities. “These ancient hunters and foragers were already tied into the cultural practices that would lead to the origins of agriculture,” Spengler noted. The discovery underscores that Central Asia, long overlooked in studies of agricultural origins, may have played a crucial role in humanity’s shift from foraging to farming.

Archaeologists Uncover 80,000-Year-Old Arrowheads in Uzbekistan

Archaeologists in northeastern Uzbekistan have discovered stone arrowheads in the Obi-Rahmat cave that could significantly alter current understandings of early human hunting practices. The findings, published in PLOS ONE, date back approximately 80,000 years and represent some of the earliest known examples of long-range hunting technology in Central Asia. The excavation site, located in the western foothills of the Tian Shan Mountains, yielded a collection of small, triangular stone points embedded within sediment layers representing 40,000 years of human occupation. Researchers concluded that the arrow-like tips are too slender to have served any purpose other than as projectiles, making them among the oldest ranged hunting tools ever found in the region. Until now, such finely crafted projectile points had been primarily associated with later Homo sapiens sites in Europe, dating back only 25,000 years. Their presence in Uzbekistan suggests that sophisticated hunting techniques involving lightweight weapons may have developed far earlier than previously believed. The arrowheads were uncovered alongside a broader assemblage of Early Middle Paleolithic tools, including blades, bladelets, and flakes. The toolset reflects both continuity with Levantine lithic traditions and unique adaptations specific to Central Asia. Researchers used microscopic trace analysis to identify impact damage patterns on the points, clear evidence of high-speed delivery mechanisms such as arrows or darts. Experts note that ranged weapons would have provided early humans with significant evolutionary advantages, allowing them to hunt more efficiently and with reduced risk. This technological innovation may have been crucial in supporting human migration and adaptation across Eurasia. Broader Archaeological Context This discovery adds to a growing body of archaeological breakthroughs in Uzbekistan. In October 2024, researchers using advanced laser scanning technology revealed two lost cities in the country’s southeast. These urban centers, which thrived between the 6th and 11th centuries AD, include a site believed to have been a metalworking hub and another that showed early Islamic cultural influences, underscoring the importance of Uzbekistan along ancient trade routes. Further excavations in December at Mengchaktepa, a key Silk Road settlement on the northern bank of the Syr Darya River, yielded new insights. Known as the “Living Fossil of the Silk Road,” the site has been under continuous investigation since 2012 through a joint expedition by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and Uzbekistan’s Institute of Archaeology.

Ancient Water Pipeline Unearthed on 65-Meter Hill in Tajikistan

Archaeologists in Tajikistan have uncovered a remarkable ancient water pipeline system atop a 65-meter hill at the Mugtepa settlement, believed to have been constructed approximately 1,500 years ago. The site, towering above the city at the height of a modern twenty-storey building, once hosted fortresses of the rulers of Uratyube across various historical periods. For nearly three decades, however, the archaeological site remained neglected. Construction in 2017-2018 further compromised its integrity, leading many to assume its secrets were lost forever. That changed in the summer of 2025, when an expedition from the Department of Archaeology, Ethnography, and Religious Studies at Khujand State University, led by Professor Nabijon Rakhimov, began new excavations. The project, supported by staff from the Kalai Mug Historical and Cultural Complex under Mirzo Olimov, proceeded without official funding but succeeded thanks to the contributions of students and specialists. Between June 18 and July 18, the team examined three segments of the aqueduct system. Water was drawn from a spring at the base of a nearby hill and transported via ceramic pipes known as kuburs, each approximately 40 cm in length. The pipes were joined using waterproof alabaster mortar and laid in trenches 85 cm wide and 20 cm deep. Small pools, or hauzes, were found along the route, likely used for water collection. All components of the system were uniformly manufactured, suggesting the existence of specialized production workshops. Unearthing Everyday Life In soil layers dating to the 5th to 8th centuries, researchers discovered pottery, stone grain grinders, and spindle whorls, evidence of a thriving agricultural and textile economy. Deeper strata revealed artifacts from earlier eras, ranging from the 1st-3rd centuries CE to the Achaemenid and Hellenistic periods (6th-1st centuries BCE). Notable finds included fragments of tall-stemmed goblets, cup-shaped vessels, and red-slip bowls. “Archaeological monuments are not just stones and shards; they are material evidence of our history. Without protection and careful treatment, they can disappear,” said Rakhimov. The team now plans to petition the Agency for the Protection of Monuments under the Government of Tajikistan to secure official support for continued excavations and preservation efforts at Mugtepa. Other Significant Finds in the Region This discovery follows several notable archaeological breakthroughs in Tajikistan in recent years. In 2023, a 7th-century sewer system was uncovered in Istaravshan by architect Amindjonov Khomid and Professor Rakhim Nabiev. The structure, approximately 1,300 years old, highlights the advanced engineering of the period. A rare 6th-century jug, made of concrete and coated in clay, was found nearby. In May 2025, archaeologists from the National Museum of Tajikistan discovered a Kushan-era clay vessel near the village of Sarband, inscribed in the Bactrian language. The inscription read, “This water jug belongs to a woman named Sagkina,” offering a rare glimpse into ancient literacy and social life. And in November 2024, an international team led by Professor Yossi Zeidner of the Hebrew University reported the discovery of artifacts dating back 150,000 years at the Soyi Khavzak site in the Zeravshan Valley. Finds included stone tools, animal bones,...