Medieval Silk Road Cities Unearthed in Uzbekistan

Recent archaeological discoveries have unveiled two medieval cities, Tugunbulak and Tashbulak, high in the mountains of Uzbekistan along the historic Silk Road, using advanced LiDAR technology. These cities, situated at altitudes of 2,000-2,200 meters, challenge previous understandings of the Silk Road as primarily linking lowland areas. Tugunbulak, larger than Tashbulak, covered 300 acres and likely supported a population of tens of thousands, featuring watchtowers and a central fortress, suggesting a significant industrial and political center. The findings, published in Nature, provide new insights into the economic and cultural exchanges in Central Asia during the 6th to 11th centuries. The research was led by Michael Frachetti and Farhod Maksudov, who emphasize the importance of these mountainous urban centers in medieval trade networks. This discovery is expected to reshape the historical narrative of the Silk Road, highlighting the role of mountainous regions in medieval commerce and industry.