Archaeologists Discover Rare Military Artifacts at Kanka Settlement

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — During archaeological excavations at the Kanka settlement in Tashkent Region, researchers uncovered a temple dating from the 5th–8th centuries and fragments of metal armor, the Institute of History of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan reported.

The work is part of preparations to establish an open-air museum at Kanka. The settlement is considered one of the key centers of ancient Turan, with scholars linking it to Kangdesh mentioned in the Avesta and the ancient Kangdez referenced in the Shahnameh.

The discoveries were made by specialists from the “Center for Military History” and the “History of the Ancient World” department while studying the lower platform of the citadel.

Archaeologists suggest that the armor fragments may have been offered in the temple as ritual gifts, in accordance with an ancient tradition of leaving the finest personal items in sacred spaces. Similar practices were previously documented at the Boykend temple.

Experts emphasize that these new artifacts are particularly important for the study of the military culture of Turkic peoples. Kanka has repeatedly confirmed this significance: in 2021, horse equipment was found at the temple entrance, and the current discoveries indicate a high level of military craftsmanship and ritual practice of the time.