Remains of 2,000-year-old fortress-city unearthed in Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (MNTV) — Archaeologists in Uzbekistan have uncovered the remains of an ancient fortress-city in the Kashkadarya oasis, one of Central Asia’s oldest human settlements, dating back more than two millennia.

Researchers from the Samarkand Institute of Archaeology discovered the site — known locally as Baburtepa — on a hill near the village of Pasttol in the Qamashi district. The ruins are believed to date from the 3rd century B.C. to the 3rd century A.D., confirming the region’s deep historical roots and distinctive culture.

“The hill covers more than six hectares and rises about 8–10 meters,” said researcher Sanjar Abdurakhimov. “We found traces of defensive walls, guard rooms, pottery workshops, and numerous ceramic artifacts, suggesting the city was inhabited for a long time.”

Excavations also revealed the remains of a large hall, several adjoining rooms, and fragments of wall paintings, which researchers believe could have been part of a palace or prayer hall. Among the most notable artifacts are finely crafted figurines and ceramics from the Seleucid and Kushan periods, indicating advanced craftsmanship in pottery and stonework.

According to Dilmurod Omonov, another researcher at the institute, more than 100 new archaeological sites were identified in the Kashkadarya oasis in 2025 alone. “These discoveries allow us to trace the step-by-step development of urban culture in this region,” he said.

Senior archaeologist Abdusabur Raimkulov noted that Kashkadarya has long been one of the cradles of civilization in Central Asia. 

“Urban culture emerged here as early as the 9th–8th centuries B.C.,” he said. “In the Middle Ages, more than 30 major cities flourished in the oasis, thanks to its location along the caravan routes linking Bukhara and Khorezm.”

Archaeological research at Baburtepa is expected to shed new light on early urban planning, craftsmanship, and the evolution of civilization across Uzbekistan.