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Ancient History

New Discoveries from Kafir-kala: Coins, Sealings, and Wooden Carvings

Profile image of Alisher BegmatovAlisher Begmatov

2020, Acta Asiatica 119

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16 pages

Abstract

This article presents findings from the 2013–2019 excavations at the citadel of Kafir-kala, focusing on coins, sealings, and wooden carvings depicting two distinct forms of the goddess Nana and her worshippers.

Key takeaways
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  1. Kafir-kala excavations revealed artifacts dating from the fifth to early eighth centuries, crucial for Sogdian studies.
  2. Approximately 700 clay sealings and numerous coins were discovered, shedding light on trade and governance.
  3. Two wooden relief panels depict the goddess Nana, highlighting Sogdian artistic traditions and religious practices.
  4. The citadel's destruction likely occurred during Qutayba ibn Muslim's campaign in 712 CE, marking a historical turning point.
  5. This article consolidates findings from recent excavations, aiming to enhance understanding of Sogdian culture and history.

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References (23)

  1. Al 'baum, L. I. 197 5. Zhivopis 'Afrasiaba. Tashkent.
  2. Begmatov, A. 2017. "Kafiru-kara iseki shutsudo fildei ni mirareru kamigami to jinbutsu no zuzo" 7J 7 1 ;v • 7J 7 ~/?miili±t-J-i]Et::.jU) n6ifi$k t}JWO)lil11 [Divine and human figures on the sealings unearthed from Kafir-kala]. Herenizumu-Isuramu Ki5kogaku
  3. Begmatov, A., T. Uno, T. Murakami, A. Berdimurodov, G. Bogomolov, H. Teramura and T. Usami. 2016. "Excavations of the Uzbek-Japanese Expedition on the Site of Kafirkala." In International Coeference on Archaeology of Uzbekistan during the Years of Indepen- dence: Progress and Perspectives, pp. 116-118. Samarkand.
  4. --. 2017. "Uzubekisutan, Kafiru-kara iseki no shitaderu o ou kasaiso-Nihon- Uzubekisutan chosatai no hakkutsu ch6sa (2016 nen)" 17 ;( ~ ::\' -.7-!J :.,, . . . . 7J 7 1 ;v • 7J
  5. ~/?miO) Y !J T Jv ~N -3 :k~!ff-B * • 17 ;( ~ ::\' -.7-!J :.,,~~~O)ftffij~~ (2016~) [The fire layer that covers the citadel of Kafir-kala in Uzbekistan: Excavations of the Japanese-Uzbek Joint Expedition (2016)].
  6. In Dainijiiyonkai Nishi Ajia Hakkutsu NEW DISCOVERIES FROM KAFIR-KALA
  7. Chosa Hokokukai Hokokushii m24[B]ffi 7 1/ 7ftffii~~¥1H!rfr¥1H!r~ [Proceedings of the 24th Annual Meeting of Excavations in West Asia], pp. 62-66. Machida IBJEB: Nihon Nishi Ajia Koko Gakkai B *ffi 7 1/ 7~E*fr (Japanese Society for West Asian Archaeology).
  8. --. 2018. "Uzubekisutan, Kafiru-kara iseki no shitaderu o ou kasaiso-Nihon- Uzubekisutan ch6satai no hakkutsu chosa (2017 nen)" 17 ;;( ~ ::\' -.7-;1 :.,, .... jJ 7 1 ;v • jJ
  9. ~/?miO) Y !J T Jv ~ N -3 :k~Jff-B * • 17 ;;( ~ ::\' -.7-!J :.,,~~~O)ftffij~~ (201 7 ~) [The fire layer that covers the citadel of Kafir-kala in Uzbekistan: Excavations of the Japanese-Uzbek Joint Expedition (2017)].
  10. In Dainijiigokai Nishi Ajia Hakkutsu Chi5sa Hi5kokukai Hi5kokushii m25[B]ffi 7 1/ 7ftffii~~ffl-1s-frffl-1s-~ [Proceedings of the 25th Annual Meeting of Excavations in West Asia], pp. 62-66. Machida: Nihon Nishi Ajia Koko Gakkai.
  11. Berdimurodov, A., A. Atakhodzhayev and S. Mantelini. 2012. "Kafirkalinskiy klad serebryanykh monet 2-oy pol. VII-nach. IX vv." Istoriya material'noy kul'tury Uzbekistana 3 7: 164-169.
  12. Berdimuradov, A., G. Bogomolov, T. Uno, and A. Begmatov. 2016. "Bully s buddiyskim syuzhetom s gorodishcha Kafirkala." Arkheologiya Uzbekistana 2 (13): 51-60.
  13. Bogomolov, G. I., A. E. Berdimuradov, Uno Takao, and A. Begmatov. 2018. "Novyye vydayushchiyesya nakhodki iskusstva Sogda." Sogdiyskiy sbornik 5. Noveyshiye issledovaniya po istorii i istorii kul 'fury Sogda v Uzbekistane, pod redaktsiyey Shamsiddin Kamoliddin, 25-44. LAP Lambert.
  14. Cazzoli, S., and C. Cereti. 2005. "Sealings from Kafir Kala: Preliminary Report." Ancient Civilizations from Scythia to Siberia 11 (1-2): 133-164.
  15. Dimartino, R. 2011. "Studio analitico della cultura materiale fra VII e IX secolo d.C. nella Regione di Samarcanda (Uzbekistan): Analisi morfo-tipologica, produzione e commercio della ceramica di Kafir Kala." Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, University of Bologna.
  16. Gariboldi, A. 2011. "Sogdian and Early Islamic Coins from Kafir Kala (Uzbekistan)." Genus 19: 171-185.
  17. Lerner, J., and N. Sims-Williams. 2011. Seals, Seatings and Tokens from Bactria to Gandhara ( 4th to 8th Century CE). Wien.
  18. Mantellini, S., and A. Berdimuradov. 2005. "Archaeological Explorations in the Sogdian Fortress ofKafir Kala." Ancient Civilizations from Scythia to Siberia 11 (1-2): 107-132.
  19. Marshak, B. I. 1985. Zhivopis' Pendjikenta/Drevnosti Tadjikistana. Katalog vystavki. Dushanbe.
  20. Naymark, A. 2013. "Eschyo raz o chekane samarkandskogo ikhshida Ugraka." Commentationes Iranicae. Sbornik statey k 90-letiyu Vladimira Aronovicha Livshitsa, pod redaktsiyey S. R. Tokhtas'yeva i P. B. Lur'ye. Sankt-Peterburg.
  21. Mantellini, di Cugno, Dimartino, and Berdimuradov 2012 [2016].
  22. Cazzoli and Cereti 2005.
  23. Grenet and la Vaissiere 2002, p. 188, n. 41. Rewdad, written rywb't [Rewdhat I Rewdhat] on a sealing found at Kafir-kala, could be Aiudi ~ff~il!! (EMC a-lowk-dsj) mentioned in the Pei- shih ~~,e_ and Sui-shu ~~: "(The king) has his capital in Aludi on the River Sabao'' (Compareti 2016, p. 250). Dr. Ching Chao-jung kindly informs me that there is no decisive objection with the transcription rules of Sogdian words into Chinese. The "River Sabao," i.e., the "Caravaneers' River," is the Zarafshan from which the Dargom canal flowing near Kafir-kala is derived.

FAQs

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What were the main findings from excavations at Kafir-kala?add

The excavations revealed significant artifacts, including over 700 clay sealings and two ornate wooden relief panels depicting the goddess Nana and her worshippers, dating from the sixth century.

How does the fire layer aid in dating Kafir-kala's artifacts?add

The fire layer contains coins and artifacts dating from the early eighth century, specifically revealing an event during Qutaiba's attack on Samarkand around 712 CE.

What unique cultural influences are reflected in Kafir-kala's sealings?add

Sealings exhibit a blend of Hellenistic, Sasanian, and local artistic traditions, showcasing insights into Sogdian art and cross-cultural interactions.

What was the significance of the goddess Nana in Sogdian culture?add

Nana, depicted on Kafir-kala's wooden panels, symbolizes fertility and governance, intertwined with traditions from Zoroastrian and later Buddhist practices.

How do the findings from Kafir-kala compare with other Sogdian archaeological sites?add

Kafir-kala's artifacts enhance the understanding of the Sogdian cultural significance, particularly in relation to the trading networks and political power established by Sogdians across Central Asia.

About the author
Alisher Begmatov
Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Faculty Member
Papers
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