3,000-Year-Old Silk Road City Discovered in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A Chinese-Uzbek archaeological expedition has uncovered a 3,000-year-old city along the Silk Road in Uzbekistan, rich in artifacts and providing new insights into urbanization in Central Asia during the early Iron Age.

The site, Bandikhan II, initially identified in 1969, covers 107,639 square feet and is located in the Bandikhan oasis in the Surkhandarya region, an area renowned for its archaeological “treasure trove” of ancient kurgans.

Excavations at Bandikhan II, which began in 2023, revealed remnants of an eastern wall, numerous structures with interconnected rooms, and a large collection of artifacts.

These findings have allowed researchers to link the city to the Yaz culture, broadening understanding of its role in ancient Bactria.

Although only part of the city center has been excavated, the materials provide crucial evidence for studying early Iron Age city-states in southern Central Asia and the evolution of urban planning from the Bronze Age to the early Iron Age, according to Global Times.

TV BRICS notes that Bandikhan II served as a significant hub along the legendary Silk Road, offering valuable insights into the social, economic, and cultural life of ancient Bactria.