Recent Fieldwork in the Upper Zerafshan Valley (Tadjikistan) by the Pendjikent Mission of the State Hermitage. Main results of the first three seasons (2010-2012) in Hisorak (Medieval Martshkat)

The lecture deals with preliminary results of a three-year excavation campaign in Hisorak, the early Medieval city in the Upper Zerafshan valley. Zerafshan, the river supplying ancient cultural lands of Sogdiana—Samarkand and Bukhara—with water and fertile loess, originates in the glacier in high mountains between Pamir and Tianshan. The upper course of the river flows through deep gorges for some 200 miles before reaching lowlands above Panjakent, the best-known Sogdian town of 5th – 8th century. The population of these gorges is sparse and dependent on primitive rural economy, and life conditions are very harsh.

However, there was a town of significant size in the area, the ruins of which are today called Hisorak. It was located on the steep terrace opposite the modern village of Madrushkat; there are many reasons to believe it was called Martshkat in the 8th century Sogdian documents discovered at Mount Mugh (half-way between Hisorak and Panjakent, the unique find of Sogdian texts within Sogdiana). It occupies the territory of 15 acres and is comprised of two citadels and the town proper (all effectively defended by natural steeps and fortifications), and suburbs. The reason for construction of a well-fortified and relatively large town in this area still remains an unsolved problem. Archaeological observations incline us to date the florescence of the monument to second half of 8th – early 9th century CE, although material from earlier and later dates is also found.

The soils and microclimate of the upper Zerafshan valley are quite favourable to organic remains, which are commonly lost in the soils of lowland archaeological monuments. This is the case of Hisorak, where numerous artifacts made of wood, leather, fabric, straw, felt, grain, etc., were discovered. Apart from various items of everyday use, such as combs, shoes, rags, beams, pads, baskets, and dung-made pottery, we discovered many elements of decorated wooden ceilings, molded decoration on plaster, and wall-paintings. Of particular interest are three Sogdian economic documents on wood.

This is a public event.

To RSVP, please email isaw@nyu.edu.