Imagine the impact of the discovery two lost cities, hidden for centuries in the remote mountains of Uzbekistan. How did these ancient civilizations manage to survive in such a desolate environment?
This observation has challenged our beliefs about the Silk Road, revealing forgotten secrets about urban life in extreme conditions. In this article, we tell you all the details of this fascinating discovery.
Two medieval cities on the Silk Road discovered in Uzbekistan
The recent discovery of two ancient medieval cities left the archaeological community amazed. These towns, located in the remote mountains of Uzbekistanchallenge everything we knew about life on the Silk Road, revealing a forgotten history that could rewrite our understanding of urbanization in the region.
Discovery was possible thanks to innovation LiDAR technologya detection system that uses pulses of laser light to obtain detailed images of terrain and hidden structures. This technique made it possible to locate two cities over a thousand years old which, until recently, remained hidden in the shadows of time.
Located at the impressive altitudes between 2000 and 2200 meters above sea levelTashbulak and Tugunbulak stand out not only for their high altitude location, but also for the unique features they reveal about urban life in extreme conditions.
Of the two, Tugunbulak is the largest and probably the most important. It is estimated that It occupied approximately 120 hectareshousing permanent structures and at least five watchtowers which show its defensive and strategic character. this city served as a key node in the Silk Road trade networkfacilitating the passage of valuable products such as iron and steel.
Although smaller than Tugunbulak, Tashbulak is no less fascinating. This regulation played a crucial role because cultural centerreflecting the religious diversity of its time.
In its surroundings, we found one of the oldest Muslim cemeteries in the region, suggesting that the city was an important meeting point for the different beliefs and cultures that crossed the Silk Road.
The LiDAR technology behind the discovery of these cities
LiDAR technology, which enabled the location of these cities, is a detection system that uses laser pulses to measure distances with astonishing precision. Thanks to this method, archaeologists can obtain detailed images of the terraineven in areas covered with dense vegetation or uneven terrain.
By emitting a laser pulse towards the ground, LiDAR system measures the time it takes for the pulse to return after bouncing off surfacesallowing the creation of precise three-dimensional maps. This advance was fundamental in discovering structures that were not previously visible, even on the most detailed maps.
The discovery of Tashbulak and Tugunbulak not only offers a unique insight into life in the Central Asian highlands, but also raises new questions about the role these cities played in the Silk Road network.
