HISTORIC CITIES DISCOVERED ALONG THE SILK ROAD.

The article focuses on the archaeological discoveries made at the ancient Silk Road settlements of Tugunbulak and Tashbulak in Uzbekistan, revealing their significance as thriving communities from the 6th to 10th centuries. Researchers utilized lidar technology to uncover over 300 structures in Tugunbulak and nearly 100 in Tashbulak, indicating that these high-altitude sites were once bustling with activity. The settlements' strategic location along the Silk Road facilitated trade and resource acquisition, allowing inhabitants to raise livestock and possibly produce iron and steel. This research challenges previous assumptions about the harshness of mountainous regions along the Silk Road, highlighting their potential for sustaining large populations. [Extracted from the article]