Ancient Uzbek settlement reveals 2,800-year-old secrets in Surxondaryo Region

Archaeologists have uncovered new details about the ancient site of Bandikhan II in Uzbekistan's Surxondaryo Region. Excavations, which began in 2023, reveal a well-preserved settlement dating back to the 10th to 8th century BC. The findings include a storage space, interconnected rooms, and a wealth of pottery and stone tools. The site was first identified in 1969, but systematic excavations only started last year. Radiocarbon dating confirms the lower layers of Bandikhan II were occupied between the 10th and 8th centuries BC. The settlement's eastern city wall stands 2.1 metres high, with a trapezoidal cross-section—6.15 metres wide at the base and tapering to 4.3 metres at the top.

Inside the city, five rooms were found, aligned along a northwest-southeast axis. One room contained a lamp niche with a flat base and arched top, hardened into red, fired clay from repeated use. A storage space measuring 3.69 metres by 1.33 metres was also discovered within the eastern wall.

The most common artifacts include carinated jars, bowls, and flat-bottomed dishes, similar to pottery from nearby Kuchuktepa and Yaztepa. Stone tools were also abundant, adding to the site's diverse collection of finds. The excavations at Bandikhan II provide a clearer picture of life in the region over 2,800 years ago. The pottery, tools, and architectural features suggest a well-organised settlement. Further research may uncover more about its connections to other sites in the area.