Ancient city walls unearthed along Silk Road in Uzbekistan
A joint Uzbek-Chinese archaeological team has uncovered a well-preserved section of defensive walls at the ancient Kuva settlement
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (MNTV) — A joint Uzbek-Chinese archaeological team has uncovered a well-preserved section of defensive walls at the ancient Kuva settlement in eastern Uzbekistan, offering fresh insights into the region’s long history along the Silk Road, according to Dunyo news agency.
According to China’s Xinhua news agency, members of the “Luoyang–Fergana” expedition described the discovery as a key material witness to the historical development of one of the Silk Road’s ancient cities and to centuries of cultural exchange between East and West.
The Kuva settlement, covering about 110,000 square meters, is located in Uzbekistan’s portion of the Fergana Valley, a region that served as a major Silk Road hub and maintained close ties with China for more than 2,000 years.
Preliminary research suggests the newly discovered defensive structures date from the 3rd century BCE to the 10th century CE and were rebuilt and used repeatedly across different historical periods, including the Parthian Kingdom, the Dayuan state, Sogdian rule and the era of the Samanids.
Liu Bing, head of the Chinese side of the expedition, said the evolution of the city’s wall construction techniques provides a valuable physical basis for studying architectural traditions, building materials, cultural influences and the spread of construction practices across regions.
The joint expedition was launched in 2023 by the Luoyang Archaeological Institute of Henan Province and Fergana State University to conduct systematic excavations at the Kuva site.
Researchers have already identified palace complexes, city gates, defensive walls, residential buildings, street networks and craft workshops. Large-scale excavations are planned next year in the palace area, Liu said, which are expected to help reconstruct a comprehensive picture of the ancient city’s layout and functional zones.
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