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Archaeological research in Central Asia of the Muslim period

1983; Routledge; Volume: 14; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/00438243.1983.9979877

1470-1375

G. A. Fedorov‐Davydov,

Education, Innovation and Language Studies

Abstract Extensive explorations have yielded abundant data relating to the material culture of the medieval city in Central Asia, its trade and the technology of its crafts. Three stages have been established in the historical development of large cities: the oldest part, dating as a rule from pre‐Muslim times, is the ark or kuhendiz; next came the shahristan (medina) which was the main part of the city in the 8th‐10th centuries; finally — the rabat or outer town which by the 11th‐13th centuries had become the centre of economic life. Each of these areas presents specific characteristics of planning and historical development. A typical example is Samarkand in Uzbekhistan. Excavations in its oldest part ‐ Afrasiyab — have revealed large buildings, a mosque, palaces and workshops — mainly potteries. The excavations which are being carried out at medieval Merv in Turkmenia enable us to reconstruct the historical dynamics of the development of the city as revealed in various types of buildings, in the inter‐relationship between dwelling‐houses and castles, and in the distribution of the artisan population according to their special crafts. At Utrar, in southern Kazakhstan, excavations have revealed the structure of a late medieval city (16th‐18th centuries) with its nucleus — the town 'quarter'. The lifestyle of the townsmen and their differentiation according to wealth have also been studied. Caravanserais, both in the cities and along the caravan routes, have also been uncovered, and the distribution of the rural population has been examined. An additional subject of research has been provided by the excavation of medieval cemeteries.