Archaeologists have uncovered two ancient mountain cities along the Silk Road in Uzbekistan.

These cities, Tugunbulak and Tashbulak, located at an altitude of approximately 2000 – 2200 meters above sea level, were key trading and manufacturing hubs in their region.

Their discovery was made possible through the use of laser remote sensing technology known as LiDAR. LiDAR is a method that utilizes lasers to conduct topographic measurements with a high degree of detail.

Tugunbulak, the larger of the two cities, covered an area of around 120 hectares and is believed by researchers to have been a significant metallurgical center. Furnaces and forges were found there, indicating steel production. The city could rival Samarkand in terms of scale and economic influence.

Tashbulak, smaller in size, is notable for its cemetery, which contains some of the oldest Muslim burials in the region.