Archaeology reveals a city of many faiths

Shi Yanxin, head of the Chinese team in the joint project, says the site occupies an important place in Central Asian archaeology. Since its discovery more than 130 years ago, researchers have made considerable progress in studying it. However, its overall layout remains poorly understood, leaving important questions for further investigation.

Covering about 2 square kilometers, the site comprises five major areas: the castle and the northern, eastern, western, and outer city areas. The joint archaeological team has concentrated its work on the western city area.

Chinese specialists have used LiDAR remote sensing to create a digital elevation model and map the site's boundaries with precision. Building on this work, they also established a digital archaeology information platform for the Chuy Valley.

"Remote sensing is particularly useful in Central Asian archaeology. In China's big cities, it's hard to use because intensive human activities often disturb traces of ancient remnants. But many parts of Central Asia are sparsely populated, with few modern buildings. On satellite images, the outlines of ancient sites can be clearly seen," says Wang Wei, a veteran archaeologist with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

The team's research has revealed that the western city area is roughly square when viewed from above and covers about 0.39 square kilometers. Its walls are discontinuous, and buildings are relatively sparse, with most concentrated in the western part of the area.

Shi says the team also excavated a large building in the western city area to investigate its structure and building techniques. More than 20 tombs, pits and house foundations have been identified west of the building.

The excavations have yielded more than 100 cultural relics, most dating to the Kara-Khanid Khaganate, which ruled parts of Central Asia from the 9th century to the early 13th century.

Valery Kolchenko, the Kyrgyz head of the joint archaeological team, says the site yielded Tang Dynasty coins from China, artifacts bearing Sogdian inscriptions, Buddhist structures, and Nestorian Christian tombs.

"The site lay at a crossroads, where diverse cultures and religions converged and integrated," he says.

Beyond Krasnaya Rechka, the team conducted archaeological surveys of ancient city sites across the Chu River Basin, and identified 24 sites. The findings suggest that cities in the Chuy Valley and the nearby Issyk-Kul region flourished between the 8th and 12th centuries.

"When we see our Chinese colleagues coming from afar, respecting our customs and culture, and exploring Kyrgyzstan's past alongside us, we realize that this wonderful relationship can contribute to peaceful development," Kolchenko told People.cn.

"This connection is not based on money, but on culture and beautiful things," he added.

wangru1@chinadaily.com.cn