Archaeologists have confirmed the discovery of a medieval city submerged beneath the icy waters of Lake Issyk-Kul, located in Kyrgyzstan. This underwater site, which lies along the historic Silk Road, offers new insights into the region’s past and could significantly alter historical narratives surrounding Central Asia.
The site, situated at Toru-Aygyr on the lake’s northwest shore, has long been shrouded in local legends. Researchers from various countries have now verified the existence of a planned urban center, revealing remnants that suggest a bustling hub of trade and cultural exchange. Evidence gathered indicates that this city thrived before succumbing to a devastating earthquake in the 15th century.
Urban Life Along the Silk Road
Explorations at depths ranging from one to four meters have unveiled large ceramic vessels, baked brick structures, and remnants of grain mills. These findings imply that the city featured public buildings like madrasas, mosques, and possibly ritual baths, indicating its role as a significant point for traders and pilgrims traveling between China and the Islamic world. The discovery of wooden structures and stone walls suggests careful urban planning, likely supported by a stable local government.
The research team employed advanced techniques, including accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) and dendrochronology, to accurately date wood samples and other materials found at the site. According to the researchers, the settlement was likely an urban center during the rule of the Kara-Khanid dynasty, which was instrumental in the spread of Islam in the region from the 10th to the 15th centuries. The archaeological evidence also points to a rich tapestry of religious coexistence, with traces of Buddhism, Tengrianism, and Nestorian Christianity present prior to the rise of Islam.
Catastrophe and Preservation
Archaeological findings indicate that the city partially collapsed due to a powerful earthquake in the 15th century, which submerged much of its infrastructure beneath Lake Issyk-Kul. Interestingly, the absence of human remains in some areas suggests an earlier abandonment, pointing to a complex history of settlement and decline.
Among the discoveries is a large Muslim cemetery from the 13th and 14th centuries, covering approximately 60,000 square meters and adhering to Islamic burial customs, with the deceased oriented toward Mecca. So far, two skeletons—one male and one female—have been uncovered, offering potential insights into their diet and health.
The influence of the Golden Horde in promoting Islam across Central Asia has been noted as a factor that facilitated trade and fostered trust among merchants along the Silk Road. Additional findings include medieval ceramics and a significant grain storage vessel, or khum, still buried in sediment, which researchers plan to investigate further in future seasons.
As archaeologists continue to map these submerged ruins using underwater drones and advanced navigation systems, they aim to create a comprehensive interdisciplinary project that encompasses urban archaeology, funerary studies, and the tectonic and climatic history of Lake Issyk-Kul. The potential for further discoveries remains high, as much of the city remains unexplored. Future research could provide a deeper understanding of Central Asia’s role in global history since the Middle Ages.
