The University of Central Asia’s (UCA) mission to help the peoples of Central Asia preserve and draw upon their rich cultural traditions and heritages as assets for the future came alive when valuable archaeological evidence was found on its campus site in Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic.

UCA was aware that its campus location included archaeological sites based on studies conducted by historian and archaeologist Dr Kubat Tabaldyev during Soviet times. In 2012, these sites were carefully relocated under the supervision of community leaders.

During a seismic study of the campus site, older remains and petroglyphs were found. UCA approached Dr Tabaldyev, now teaching at Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, to coordinate a comprehensive archaeological survey of the area. Dr Tabaldyev has extensive expertise in the Naryn region and a long-standing relationship with UCA. He worked with the School of Professional and Continuing Education and his seminal work, Ancient Monuments of the Tien-Shan was published by the UCA Cultural Heritage Book Series in 2012.

“Dr Tabaldyev skillfully weaves together descriptions of physical artefacts with living cultural traditions in his work, creating synergy between the past and the present,” said Dr Bohdan Krawchenko, UCA Director General.

With support from UCA, Dr Tabaldyev is leading a team to determine the historical significance of the site. “Engaging in this work now means decreasing the chances of the history on these sites being lost,” said Dr Tabaldyev, “This work would not have been possible without financial support from UCA.”

Dr Tabaldyev and his team found 20 ancient internment sites, memorial fencing, petroglyphs, signs on stones and artefacts which span the Stone, Bronze, early Iron and the Middles Ages and indicate a pattern of continuous settlement. 

The team will excavate another 20 sites and submit a final report to the Academy of Sciences, Ministry of Culture and UCA.