Overview

• Researchers have mapped two large medieval cities, Tashbulak and Tugunbulak, located at elevations over 2,000 meters in Uzbekistan.
• The cities, discovered using drone-borne LiDAR, feature hundreds of structures, including fortresses, watchtowers, and complex buildings.
• These settlements challenge previous notions about urbanization, showing significant development in mountainous regions of the Silk Road.
• Evidence suggests these cities were major hubs for iron production, utilizing local resources to sustain their economies.
• The findings highlight the role of high-altitude cities as integral nodes in the medieval Silk Road network, facilitating trade and cultural exchanges.