For subscribers only

LiDAR reveals large-scale urbanisation at mountain-top medieval cities

Written on 10/24/2024
Mark Milligan


A study published in the journal nature has revealed traces of large-scale urbanisation at two mountaintop cities built over 2,000 metres above sea level in the highlands of southeastern Uzbekistan.

In 2011, Michael D. Frachetti, an Associate Professor of Anthropology at Washington University began a research project at the medieval site of Tashbulak, a city associated with the Qarakhanid Empire. The Qarakhanid Empire was a Karluk Turkic khanate that ruled Central Asia from the 9th to the early 13th century AD.

The Qarakhanids founded Tashbulak between the 8th to 11th century AD in a valley in the Mal’guzar highland range, an offshoot of the Pamir Mountains. The city is situated at an elevation of over 2,00 metres above sea level, a height for which only 3% of today’s global population now inhabits.

Following several years of excavations by Frachetti and colleagues, a second city was identified adjacent to Tashbulak which became known as Tugunbulak. Due to the remoteness and poor agricultural conditions, both cities likely survived on trade carried along the medieval Silk Roads from major trading centres in Uzbekistan and China.


Subscriber content only

Subscribe today to have unlimited access to all our content - 3 day FREE trial.