Two ancient cities, Tugunbulak and Tashbulak, located in the eastern mountains of Uzbekistan, were recently mapped using LiDAR technology transported by drones, revealing their size and complexity. These cities are considered among the largest urban centers in the mountainous regions of the Silk Road, a global trade network that facilitated the exchange of goods, technologies, and ideas between Europe and Asia.
Over time, the Silk Road played a crucial role in shaping the modern world by enabling the transfer of innovations like paper and the compass, which accelerated Europe's progression out of the Middle Ages. Cities along this trade route, such as Tugunbulak and Tashbulak, economically thrived due to their strategic locations, though many of these cities declined as maritime trade routes emerged.
Discovering and Mapping Tugunbulak and Tashbulak
Located at altitudes between 2,000 and 2,200 meters, the cities of Tugunbulak and Tashbulak were abandoned and subsequently buried by the earth, until Professor Michael Frachetti from Washington University in St. Louis and Farhod Maksudov from the Uzbekistan National Archaeology Center identified them through explorations assisted by computer modeling. After discovering traces of these cities in 2011 and 2015, the team used LiDAR technology to penetrate the vegetation and soil, revealing the structures beneath.
At its peak, Tugunbulak spanned approximately 120 hectares (300 acres), which, while small by modern standards, was impressive for that time and altitude. Around a central fortress, LiDAR highlighted the presence of buildings, fortifications, and public spaces, confirming that these cities were significant economic and political hubs in Central Asia. Although mountains were traditionally viewed as obstacles to trade, archaeological findings suggest that they housed critical centers of interaction and commerce.
Historical Context and Significance
Tugunbulak and Tashbulak flourished between the 6th and 11th centuries AD, with their prosperity fueled not only by trade but also by the region's rich iron ore deposits, which were processed into steel. This industry likely served as a major source of wealth for these cities. Frachetti notes that the Silk Road was not dominated solely by the major powers at its eastern and western ends, in China and the West, but also by key political forces in Central Asia, which became a driver of innovation.
Although Tashbulak was roughly ten times smaller than Tugunbulak, it represents one of the first high-altitude urban archaeological excavations. A notable feature is the absence of external residential areas, suggesting that the inhabitants, being nomadic, lived seasonally in yurts outside the fortified walls.
Using LiDAR Technology in Archaeology
LiDAR technology, known for its success in uncovering Mayan cities hidden beneath the jungle, has shown its capability in this case to penetrate vegetation and soil layers, allowing the research team to map the ancient cities without disturbing the site. The 3D models created from the LiDAR data provide a comprehensive view of the cities' structures and functions, though interpretations remain limited without further excavations.
Conclusions and Future Prospects
Although only 3% of the global population today lives at altitudes above 2,000 meters, recent discoveries suggest that in the past, such high-altitude settlements played an important economic role. The research team hopes to continue excavations and drone-assisted explorations to uncover more hidden urban centers in the mountainous regions of Uzbekistan.
These investigations could reshape the urban history of the Silk Road, highlighting the significance of high-altitude cities in the economic and cultural networks that connected East and West.