Authored by Maria Mocerino via Interesting Engineering (emphasis ours),
A Chinese-Uzbek archaeological team has unearthed an extraordinary 3,000-year-old city along the Silk Road, brimming with artifacts, shedding light on urban development during the early Iron Age in Central Asia.
Originally uncovered in 1969, the vast Bandikhan II site, spanning 107,639 square feet, is situated in the Bandikhan oasis. The Surxondaryo region in southern Uzbekistan is renowned for its archaeological riches, housing multiple ancient settlement mounds. It was only in 2023 that excavations commenced at Bandikhan II, a pivotal hub on the fabled Silk Road.
During the dig, archaeologists revealed remnants of an eastern wall, numerous structures, interconnected rooms, and a plethora of artifacts. These discoveries enabled researchers to pinpoint the city as part of the Yaz culture, deepening our knowledge of their significance within ancient Bactria, as per TV Brics.
While only a portion of this major urban center of the ancient Bactrian kingdom has been excavated to date, the findings are offering crucial insights “for comprehending the form of early Iron Age city-states in southern Central Asia and the development of urban layouts from Bronze Age to the early Iron Age,” according to Global Times.
A Silk Road city
Thus far, archaeologists have explored merely 3,229 square feet of the 107,639-square-foot site in the eastern part of the ancient city. Nonetheless, they have confirmed it to be the largest and best-preserved settlement in the Bandikhan oasis, with foundations dating back to the early Iron Age. Researchers have begun unraveling the city’s layout and its utilization during that era.
The well-preserved eastern wall showcases a trapezoidal cross-section, illustrating the construction methods employed. Inside the city, they came across a detailed glimpse of daily life, including five interconnected rooms. One of these rooms was designated for sleeping and contained a niche for a lamp, as per Heritage Daily. This deduction was based on the hardened interior, indicating repeated burning and unveiling the niche’s purpose.
Among the unearthed artifacts were pottery fragments, such as carinated jars, bowls, and flat-bottomed dishes. The shapes and adornments of these items matched those discovered at other Yaz sites like Kuchuktepa and Yaztepa, clarifying the builders of this sophisticated urban center. While Bandikhan II shares architectural similarities with these sites, it also exhibits notable differences, particularly in the absence of semicircular defense towers along its outer walls.
A variety of stone tools, including grinding slabs, mullers, pestles, and mortars, hinted at on-site grain processing. Additionally, bronze knives and arrowheads were identified, alongside seashells.
What lies ahead?
The initial excavations at this Silk Road city have yielded remarkable discoveries, sparking anticipation for future excavations as researchers gear up to expand their work in upcoming seasons. This flourishing city, with its enduring heritage, continues to unfold.
In response to these findings, a two-week training program on Silk Road archaeology has been instituted, aiming to safeguard and transmit Silk Road cultural heritage, as highlighted by The Global Times.