What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to analyze the archaeological findings at Ak Beshim and their implications for understanding its historical abandonment.

April 1, 2026

Results of the Archaeological Project at Ak Beshim (Suyab), Kyrgyz Republic from 2011 to 2013 and a Note on the Site`s Abandonment

Key Points

This research aims to analyze the archaeological findings at Ak Beshim and their implications for understanding its historical abandonment.
Conducted excavations at Ak Beshim from 2011 to 2013
Site examination included the discovery of a main street and houses
Utilized radiocarbon dating to determine the age of findings
Excavations revealed a Qarakhanid main street and several houses from the late 10th century
Radiocarbon dating indicated that Ak Beshim was abandoned around the late 10th century, earlier than previously thought
Cultural materials provide insights into the process of Islamization in the region

Abstract

The National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo has been conducting an archaeological project at Ak Beshim (Suyab) in the Chuy Valley, Kyrgyz Republic since 2011. This paper provides preliminary results of the project`s first three seasons from 2011 to 2013. The excavations revealed a Qarakhanid main street and several houses along the street in the center of Shakhrsitan of Ak Beshim. This layer is dated by radiocarbon to the late 10th century. According to historical documents, the region was Islamized in the middle of the 10th century, so this layer provides relevant cultural materials for studying Islamization in this region. Radiocarbon dating also suggests that Ak Beshim was abandoned in the late 10th century, 200 years earlier than previously believed. Reasons behind the abandonment of Ak Beshim are considered at the end of this paper.

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