How archaeologists unearthed ancient cities in Central Asia’s mountains

Sub : History

Sec: Ancient India

Context:

In 2015, archaeologist Michael Frachetti learned from a local official about ancient ceramics near his excavation site in southeastern Uzbekistan. This led to the discovery of Tugunbulak, a vast fortified city dating to a medieval empire.
Frachetti’s team spent nearly a decade mapping Tugunbulak and Tashbulak, another high-altitude site in Uzbekistan.

Key Findings

Mountain Trade Routes: The discoveries at these high-altitude sites (about 6,500 feet above sea level) challenge the traditional view that the Silk Road trade routes stayed in lowland areas. These mountain routes reveal a more intricate Silk Road network.
Centers of Industry: Surrounded by iron-rich Malguzar Mountains, Tugunbulak and Tashbulak may have been centres for weapons manufacturing. Excavations have uncovered pottery, coins, and jewellery, suggesting a vibrant trade for weapons and other items.
Complexity of Nomadic and Urban Life: The findings blur the lines between nomadic and urban societies, showing that medieval nomads also established substantial settlements.

The Role of the Silk Road:

Initiated by Chinese explorer Zhang Qian, the Silk Road connected East and West Asia from the 2nd century B.C. to the 15th century A.D.
Central Asian cities like Samarkand and Bukhara were pivotal hubs, but the USSR’s historical narrative largely overlooked contributions from medieval nomadic cultures. Sites like Tashbulak and Tugunbulak illustrate these cultures’ urban influence.

Challenges in Exploring Tugunbulak:

Tugunbulak, a 390-acre area, was difficult to map due to its size and Uzbekistan’s strict drone regulations. After negotiations, Frachetti’s team obtained permission for limited drone use.
Initial drone photography faced challenges with high winds and subpar image quality, and ground-penetrating radar was impractical for such a large site.

How Lidar Enhanced the Research:

In 2022, Frachetti returned with a lidar-equipped drone. Lidar, or “light detection and ranging,” measures distances using laser pulses, creating precise topographical maps.
Over 22 flights, the team collected 421 million data points, revealing structures like walls, roads, and buildings. Data analysis with a custom algorithm by computer scientist Tao Ju helped interpret these findings.
While lidar provided critical insights, traditional excavation methods remain essential to fully understand these sites.