Uzbek–China Archaeologists Discover Ancient Kuva Settlement

News Desk 

Tashken: A joint team of archaeologists from Uzbekistan and China has uncovered a section of the remaining walls of the ancient Kuva settlement in Uzbekistan, dating from between the 3rd century BC and the 10th century AD.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, members of the Luoyang–Fergana joint archaeological expedition believe the discovery provides key material evidence for studying the historical development of the ancient town along the Great Silk Road, as well as cultural exchanges between the East and the West.

The ruins of the Kuva settlement, covering an area of approximately 110,000 square meters, are located in the Uzbek part of the Fergana Valley. As an important hub on the ancient Silk Road, the region maintained long-standing ties with China spanning more than two millennia.

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Archaeologists have preliminarily determined that the fortifications of the ancient settlement were reconstructed multiple times and remained in use over an extended period — from the Parthian Kingdom and the state of Dayuan to Sogdiana and the era of Samanid rule.

The evolution of wall construction technologies offers crucial physical evidence for studying architectural craftsmanship, the selection of building materials across different periods, and potential cultural influences on these choices, as well as for clarifying routes of cultural transmission, said Liu Bin, head of the joint expedition from the Chinese side.

In 2023, the Luoyang Institute of Archaeology of Henan Province and Fergana State University established a joint archaeological team to excavate the ruins of the ancient Kuva settlement.

To date, relics including palaces, city gates, walls, residential houses, streets, and craft workshops have been discovered at the site, Liu Bin added.

“Systematic excavations are planned to be carried out in the palace areas next year to develop a comprehensive understanding of the layout and functional zoning of the ancient settlement,” he said.