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Tugunbulak and Tashbulak

Medieval highland towns of the 6th–11th centuries at 2,000–2,200 m in the Turkestan range, published in Nature in 2024; Tugunbulak covers about 120 ha.

Archaeology6th century

About the place

Tugunbulak and Tashbulak are two medieval towns high on the northern slope of the Turkestan range in Bakhmal district, near Zaamin National Park. They lie at 2,000–2,200 metres and were inhabited between the 6th and 11th centuries, an unusual height for permanent settlements.

Tugunbulak covers about 120 hectares with more than 300 structures, Tashbulak about 12. A drone and lidar survey led by Michael Frachetti and Farhod Maksudov, published in Nature in 2024, mapped them in detail and linked them to iron working. On the ground you see low mounds in alpine meadows; plan about four hours with a guide.

Why go

  • Medieval towns at over 2,000 m
  • More than 300 structures at Tugunbulak
  • Mapped by lidar, Nature 2024

Sources (1)

  1. 1.nature.com

Nearby

  • Zaamin State Nature ReserveNature

    12 km away

    Zaamin State Nature Reserve

    A mountain reserve on the north slope of the Turkestan range in Jizzakh region, set up in 1959–1960 to protect juniper forests at 1,760–3,500 m.

  • Nature

    15 km away

    Chortangi Gorge

    Deep gorge in Zaamin National Park, about 450 m deep and 500 m wide, with a waterfall and bearded vultures overhead.

  • Attractions

    18 km away

    Suffa Radio Observatory (RT-70)

    An unfinished Soviet-era radio observatory at 2,324 m on the Suffa plateau, built around a 70-metre RT-70 dish begun in 1981.

  • Resorts

    21 km away

    Zaamin Resort Area

    A mountain resort at 2,000–2,400 m beside Zaamin National Park, with a Soviet-era sanatorium, a cable car and a long suspension bridge.