Archaeologists Unearth Possible 8th-Century Palace at Mingtepa

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Archaeologists excavating the Mingtepa archaeological site in the Jambay district of Uzbekistan's Samarkand Region have uncovered architectural remains that specialists believe may belong to a palace complex dating to the eighth century AD.

The excavations are being carried out by researchers from the Yahya Gulyamov Samarkand Archaeological Institute: Amriddin Berdimuradov, Khusniddin Rakhmonov and Nigora Makhkamova.

During the excavations, the researchers uncovered the architectural layout of a complex located within the citadel (Ark) of the ancient settlement. According to the research team, the structure dates to the first half of the eighth century AD.

The archaeologists said the construction techniques and architectural features of the complex are of considerable scientific interest and could expand understanding of urban planning, architecture and systems of governance during the Early Middle Ages.

The team also discovered eighth-century sculptures in the hall of the presumed palace. The finds are currently undergoing scientific examination.

According to the archaeologists, the results of the research could provide new information about the political and cultural life of the Mingtepa settlement, as well as the history of the region during the Early Middle Ages.