The Kulal Tepa Archaeological Project: Introduction and preliminary report for the first season of archaeological excavation, autumn 2023 (southern Uzbekistan)

This report presents the Kulal Tepa Archaeological Project of the Czech-Uzbekistani Archaeological Expedition and preliminary results for the first season of archaeological excavation in autumn, 2023. Concerned with broader questions of the scope and catalysts of economic development in northern Bactria under the Kushan Empire, the project’s fieldwork programme investigates the rural settlement of Kulal Tepa and its micro -oasis in the eastern foothills of the Kugitang through archaeological excavation and survey. We discuss the regional setting of this work, past research and the topography of the tepa, before presenting an overview of the results of excavation, and finds from this season, including from a metal detector survey of the surface. In Trench 1 on the northwestern sector of the tepa, we found poorly preserved layers attesting to successive periods of reoccupation (Phase 2), perhaps largely of the 5th–6th centuries AD in the Early Medieval period. These activities occurred on the ruins of a large building complex probably constructed and used in the 3rd–4th centuries AD, i.e., the Kushano -Sasanian/Late Antique period (Phase 3). Part of the structure revealed includes an inner building, covered passageway, and utility area with cooking and storage facilities. The structure suggests a relatively elite residential context, and a dominant point of this site during its last major building phase. Finds from the excavation, surface, and metal detector survey include a diverse ceramic repertoire, and material suggesting various production activities, other special finds, and base metal coins dating at least from the 1st–4th centuries AD. Overall they suggest historical occupation of the tepa primarily between the 1st–6th centuries AD; a few may suggest an earlier date. The 3rd–4th centuries (Kushano -Sasanian period) likely represents a major period of the site’s occupation. This corresponds to survey data from the site’s vicinity suggesting substantial development of the micro -oasis at the same time.