What does this research mean for the field?

The striking architectural similarities between stone towers in the North Caucasus and Tibet are the result of cultural transfer mediated by the Alans, who transmitted building technologies from East Asia to the Caucasus. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONTRADICTORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine the mechanism and direction of cultural transfer explaining the structural and linguistic similarities between North Caucasian and Tibetan Qiang stone towers.

August 23, 2026Open Access

Tower architecture of the North Caucasus and Tibet: the alans as transmitters of the building traditions of the Qiang people

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Authors

TKTaymuraz Kokoyti

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Implication

Comparative historical analysis reveals architectural and genetic links between Tibetan Qiang and North Caucasian towers, indicating Alans transmitted Eastern building traditions along the Silk Road.

Key Points

To determine the mechanism and direction of cultural transfer explaining the structural and linguistic similarities between North Caucasian and Tibetan Qiang stone towers.
Synthesized comparative architectural analyses of masonry methods, structural proportions, and functional layouts across North Caucasian and Tibetan sites.
Integrated historical linguistic evidence, ancient Chinese chronicles, and palaeogenetic data from Alan burial sites in the North Caucasus.
Demonstrated near-identical architectural features, masonry principles, and interior layouts between North Caucasian stone towers and Tibetan Qiang structures.
Identified East Asian genetic markers, including haplogroup D1a2a1, in North Caucasian Alan burials, supporting the role of nomadic Alans as Silk Road intermediaries transferring eastern architectural technologies westward.

Cite This Study

Taymuraz Kokoyti (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8aae407677a341144471d5 https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22021491

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Implication

Comparative historical analysis reveals architectural and genetic links between Tibetan Qiang and North Caucasian towers, indicating Alans transmitted Eastern building traditions along the Silk Road.

Tower architecture of the North Caucasus and Tibet: the alans as transmitters of the building traditions of the Qiang people

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Tower architecture of the North Caucasus and Tibet: the alans as transmitters of the building traditions of the Qiang people

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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