- Office: Institute for Classical Archaeology, Faculty of Arts, Charles University in Prague
Celetná 20, Prague 1,
E-mail: ladislav.stanco@ff.cuni.cz - (0042) 221 619 724
Ladislav Stančo
Charles University, Prague, Classical Archaeology, Faculty Member
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Classical Archaeology, Central Asian Studies, Archaeology of Central Asia, Hellenistic Bactria, Bactria (Archaeology), Central Asian Buddhism, and 58 moreKushan art and architecture, Kushans, Kushan empire (Archaeology), GIS Applications in Archaeology, Kushan and Central Asian Studies, Eurasian Nomads, Burial mounds (Archaeology), Sogdian Archaeology, Kushan history, Archaeology of Central Asia in Parthian, Kushan and Sasanian times, Roman Syria (Archaeology), Palmyra, Syria, Ancient Near East, Archaeology of the Hellenistic East, Near Eastern Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Archaeological GIS, Achaemenid archaeology, Pastoralism (Archaeology), Sasanian Archaeology, Greek Archaeology, Gandhara, Silk Road Studies, Terracotta Figurines, Toreutics, Hellenistic Sculpture, Hellenistic Greece, Ancient Topography, Sasanian Rock Reliefs, Sasanian art, Sogdian Culture, Silk Road Archaeology, Kushan Coins, Kushan Pottery, Hunnic numismatics, Graeco-Bactrian Coins, Greco-Bactrian History, archaeology of Khotan / Xinjiang PC China, Buddhist Iconography, Buddhist art and architecture, Iranian Archaeology, History of the Hellenistic World (Focus: Seleucid Empire), Roman Glass, Terra Sigillata, Romanisation, Roman Near East, Call for Papers, Conference, Roman Greece, Roman Archaeology, Spatial analysis (Archaeology), Hellenistic Pottery, Iranian World in Late Antiquity, Archaeology of the Eurasian steppe belt, Kurgans, Hellenistic and Roman Asia Minor, Pausanias, and Silk Road edit
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Grade: Associate Professor of Classical Archaeology Research focus: Archaeology of Central Asia Lecture focus: Helle... moreGrade: Associate Professor of Classical Archaeology
Research focus: Archaeology of Central Asia
Lecture focus: Hellenistic Greece; Hellenized Near East; Topography of Ancient World; Central Asia
see more detail in CV edit
Central Asia became a forefront of international archaeological research early in the 1990s. Several respected archaeological teams gradually established their projects throughout post-Soviet republics of Central Asia, including... more
Central Asia became a forefront of international archaeological research early in the 1990s. Several respected archaeological teams gradually established their projects throughout post-Soviet republics of Central Asia, including Uzbekistan. In 2002 this effort was joined by a small Czech-Uzbekistani team aiming to begin an archaeological investigation of the northwestern part of ancient Bactria, particularly in the area of Sherabad oasis, with its major site Jandavlattepa.
The focus of this publication is to present some newly discovered data in the field of Bactrian archaeology of Pre-Islamic periods and to shed additional light on different aspects of an understanding of its material culture, primarily in the transitional period between the Kushan and early medieval times. The present title represents a pilot volume, which will be followed up with two additional volumes.
The focus of this publication is to present some newly discovered data in the field of Bactrian archaeology of Pre-Islamic periods and to shed additional light on different aspects of an understanding of its material culture, primarily in the transitional period between the Kushan and early medieval times. The present title represents a pilot volume, which will be followed up with two additional volumes.
Research Interests:
This book focuses on the fate of the Greek mythological themes, divine and heroic figures, far in the East, primarily in the area of ancient Gandhara and Bactria (today in Uzbekistan). In alphabetic order, it covers primary iconographic... more
This book focuses on the fate of the Greek mythological themes, divine and heroic figures, far in the East, primarily in the area of ancient Gandhara and Bactria (today in Uzbekistan). In alphabetic order, it covers
primary iconographic schemes, which the art of these areas borrowed from the Hellenistic Mediterranean. We can compare how individual typical depictions of Greek deities changed and accommodated the taste
and ideas of the local populace over the centuries. Aside from this, many of the originally Greek mythological characters, including their typical attributes, became, as this book clearly shows, the basis for images of various local Iranian, Indian and other deities.
primary iconographic schemes, which the art of these areas borrowed from the Hellenistic Mediterranean. We can compare how individual typical depictions of Greek deities changed and accommodated the taste
and ideas of the local populace over the centuries. Aside from this, many of the originally Greek mythological characters, including their typical attributes, became, as this book clearly shows, the basis for images of various local Iranian, Indian and other deities.
Research Interests:
The first volume of proceedings of the Third Meeting of the Hellenistic Central Asia Research Network (14th –16th of November 2018, Charles University, Prague). Studia Hercynia monothematic issue. To download the individual articles,... more
The first volume of proceedings of the Third Meeting of the Hellenistic Central Asia Research Network (14th –16th of November 2018, Charles University, Prague). Studia Hercynia monothematic issue.
To download the individual articles, please, see https://studiahercynia.ff.cuni.cz/en/magazin/2021-1/
To download the individual articles, please, see https://studiahercynia.ff.cuni.cz/en/magazin/2021-1/
Research Interests:
This work is the second volume of the series publishing the results of the Czech-Uzbek archaeological expedition in southern Uzbekistan. While the first part was devoted to the excavations at the central site of the Sherabad Oasis called... more
This work is the second volume of the series publishing the results of the Czech-Uzbek archaeological expedition in southern Uzbekistan. While the first part was devoted to the excavations at the central site of the Sherabad Oasis called Jandavlattepa, the second volume analyses the development of the settlement throughout this oasis based on the new data gained by the expedition. The used methodology includes both extensive and intensive archaeological survey, revisions of published archaeological data, historical maps and satellite images. Apart from the dynamics of the settlement of the research area spreading from prehistoric to modern time, the development of the irrigation systems in the steppe lowlands was also assessed.
https://cupress.cuni.cz/ink2_ext/index.jsp?include=podrobnosti&id=437888
https://cupress.cuni.cz/ink2_ext/index.jsp?include=podrobnosti&id=437888
Research Interests:
Archaeology, Spatial Analysis, Settlement Patterns, Central Asian Studies, Central Asia (History), and 7 moreBactria (Archaeology), Hellenistic Bactria, Central Asia, Geo-spatial analysis with GIS and GPS, Archaeology of Central Asia, Irrigation water Management, and Water governance and management in Central Asia
Research Interests:
Acknowledgements 1 Introduction 1.1 Definition of the subject 1.2 Political continuity 1.3 A note on Kushan chronology 2 An iconographic analysis of the art of Gandhara, Bactria and the adjoining areas of the Kushan Empire 2.1... more
Acknowledgements
1 Introduction
1.1 Definition of the subject
1.2 Political continuity
1.3 A note on Kushan chronology
2 An iconographic analysis of the art of Gandhara, Bactria and the adjoining areas of the Kushan Empire
2.1 General remarks
2.2 Greek mythological figures in the east
2.2.1 Adonis
2.2.2 Aphrodite
2.2.3 Apollo
2.2.4 Ares
2.2.5 Artemis
2.2.6 Athena
2.2.7 Atlantes
2.2.8 Centaur
2.2.9 Cybele
2.2.10 Demeter
2.2.11 Dionysus
2.2.12 Dioscuri
2.2.13 Eros/Cupids
2.2.14 Harpocrates
2.2.15 Helios
2.2.16 Heracles
2.2.17 Hermes
2.2.18 Nereids
2.2.19 Nike
2.2.20 Poseidon
2.2.21 River gods
2.2.22 Sarapis
2.2.23 Tyche / City goddess
2.2.24 Zeus
2.3 Other schemes of Greek origin
2.3.1 Various themes
2.3.2 Drinking, dancing and erotic scenes
2.4 Greek deities identified with Iranian or Indian ones
2.4.1 Tyche-Hariti-Ardokhsho-Lakshmi
2.4.2 Heracles-Vajrapani
2.4.3 Pharro / Panchika / Hermes
2.4.4 Shiva - Vesho - Veshparkar with attributes of Poseidon, Zeus and Heracles
4 Conclusions
5 Bibliography
1 Introduction
1.1 Definition of the subject
1.2 Political continuity
1.3 A note on Kushan chronology
2 An iconographic analysis of the art of Gandhara, Bactria and the adjoining areas of the Kushan Empire
2.1 General remarks
2.2 Greek mythological figures in the east
2.2.1 Adonis
2.2.2 Aphrodite
2.2.3 Apollo
2.2.4 Ares
2.2.5 Artemis
2.2.6 Athena
2.2.7 Atlantes
2.2.8 Centaur
2.2.9 Cybele
2.2.10 Demeter
2.2.11 Dionysus
2.2.12 Dioscuri
2.2.13 Eros/Cupids
2.2.14 Harpocrates
2.2.15 Helios
2.2.16 Heracles
2.2.17 Hermes
2.2.18 Nereids
2.2.19 Nike
2.2.20 Poseidon
2.2.21 River gods
2.2.22 Sarapis
2.2.23 Tyche / City goddess
2.2.24 Zeus
2.3 Other schemes of Greek origin
2.3.1 Various themes
2.3.2 Drinking, dancing and erotic scenes
2.4 Greek deities identified with Iranian or Indian ones
2.4.1 Tyche-Hariti-Ardokhsho-Lakshmi
2.4.2 Heracles-Vajrapani
2.4.3 Pharro / Panchika / Hermes
2.4.4 Shiva - Vesho - Veshparkar with attributes of Poseidon, Zeus and Heracles
4 Conclusions
5 Bibliography
Research Interests:
Classical Archaeology, Iconography, Museum Studies, Buddhist Iconography, Ancient Religion, and 26 moreGreek Archaeology, Bactria (Archaeology), Hellenistic Bactria, Central Asia, Ancient Greek Iconography, Roman Iconography, Classical Mythology, Archaeology of Central Asia, Kushan empire (Archaeology), Kushan art and architecture, Ancient Greek and Roman Art, Ancient Arts And Iconography, Kushans, Aphrodite, Hercules, Ancient Greek Mythology, Athena, Bactria, Hellenism, Indo-Greeks, Connoisseurship, Kushan and Central Asian Studies, Zeus, Dionysos, Greco-Bactrian History, Archaeology of Central Asia in Parthian, Kushan and Sasanian times, Religious Iconography, and Greek and Roman Art
"The current publication presents results of the Czech-Uzbekistani archaeological expedition in southern Uzbekistan, particularly on the site of Jandavlattepa. This collaboration originated in 2001 as a joint project of the Archaeological... more
"The current publication presents results of the Czech-Uzbekistani archaeological expedition in southern Uzbekistan, particularly on the site of Jandavlattepa. This collaboration originated in 2001 as a joint project of the Archaeological Institute of Uzbekistan in Samarqand and the Institute for Classical Archaeology, Charles University in Prague. The pilot season took place the next year, in 2002. Since then, every year till 2006, a four to six-week-long excavation campaign under the direction of Kazim Abdullaev and Ladislav Stančo has been organised and a huge amount of archaeological material and data has been collected. This volume should be a starting issue of a number publications which shall present this data.
This publication has been divided into three parts. The first part contains a brief general description of the site and the history of its excavation, as well as geographical and topographical notes. The second and also core part contains a description of the archaeological situations in various sectors of the site. Sector 20, i.e. the citadel, is brought into special focus. The third part of the publication consists of studies devoted to various groups of finds: coins, textile-making implements, weapons and tools, jewellery and clay figurines and appliqués. A list of all small finds has been attached to the end of the book, with references to the form of depicting them either as a drawing or a photograph, and with reference to those places in the text, where special attention is paid to these finds."
This publication has been divided into three parts. The first part contains a brief general description of the site and the history of its excavation, as well as geographical and topographical notes. The second and also core part contains a description of the archaeological situations in various sectors of the site. Sector 20, i.e. the citadel, is brought into special focus. The third part of the publication consists of studies devoted to various groups of finds: coins, textile-making implements, weapons and tools, jewellery and clay figurines and appliqués. A list of all small finds has been attached to the end of the book, with references to the form of depicting them either as a drawing or a photograph, and with reference to those places in the text, where special attention is paid to these finds."
Research Interests:
Central Asia (History), Bactria (Archaeology), Archaeology of Central Asia, Kushan empire (Archaeology), Kushan art and architecture, and 7 moreKushan history, Kushans, Archaeological Excavation, Kushan Coins, Kushan and Central Asian Studies, Archaeology of Central Asia in Parthian, Kushan and Sasanian times, and Kushano-Sasanian Numismatics
This publication presents the activities and the results of the Czech-Uzbekistani archaeological expedition in southern Uzbekistan, particularly on the site of Jandavlattepa. This collaboration originated in 2001 as a joint project of... more
This publication presents the activities and the results of the Czech-Uzbekistani archaeological expedition in southern Uzbekistan, particularly on the site of Jandavlattepa. This collaboration originated in 2001 as a joint project of the
Archaeological Institute of Uzbekistan in Samarqand and the Institute for Classical Archaeology, Charles University in Prague. The pilot season took place the next year, 2002. From then untill 2006, a four to six-week-long excavation campaign was
organised every year under the direction of Kazim Abdullaev and Ladislav Stančo and a large amount of archaeological material and data were collected. The first volume of excavation reports has issued in 2011 (Jandvalttepa I), while two others are
in preparation. As a second stage in the mutual collaboration, the Czech-Uzbek team started with archaeological mapping of the Sherabad District – both irrigated plains and piedmont steppes – of South Uzbekistan in 2008. This time, the researchers from
the Charles University in Prague collaborated with a team from the Termez state University in Termez headed by prof. Sh. Shaydullaev. This project lasted till 2011 and resulted in a compilation of a detailed archaeological map of the region, publication of which is currently being prepared. As a part of the survey, a team of Czech students under the lead of P. Tušlová conducted a compelling project of an intensive surface survey in the Sherabad plain. This volume is intended not only to outline the scientific aims and results of the above mentioned projects, but also to illustrate the local conditions and difficulties
of everyday life and archaeological work in the Central Asia.
Archaeological Institute of Uzbekistan in Samarqand and the Institute for Classical Archaeology, Charles University in Prague. The pilot season took place the next year, 2002. From then untill 2006, a four to six-week-long excavation campaign was
organised every year under the direction of Kazim Abdullaev and Ladislav Stančo and a large amount of archaeological material and data were collected. The first volume of excavation reports has issued in 2011 (Jandvalttepa I), while two others are
in preparation. As a second stage in the mutual collaboration, the Czech-Uzbek team started with archaeological mapping of the Sherabad District – both irrigated plains and piedmont steppes – of South Uzbekistan in 2008. This time, the researchers from
the Charles University in Prague collaborated with a team from the Termez state University in Termez headed by prof. Sh. Shaydullaev. This project lasted till 2011 and resulted in a compilation of a detailed archaeological map of the region, publication of which is currently being prepared. As a part of the survey, a team of Czech students under the lead of P. Tušlová conducted a compelling project of an intensive surface survey in the Sherabad plain. This volume is intended not only to outline the scientific aims and results of the above mentioned projects, but also to illustrate the local conditions and difficulties
of everyday life and archaeological work in the Central Asia.
Research Interests:
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This report summarizes the starting points, methods and results of the archaeological research of the Czech-Uzbek team investigating the Hellenistic se lements in the vicinity of Darband, in the upper reaches of the Sherabad Darya, in the... more
This report summarizes the starting points, methods and results of the archaeological research of the Czech-Uzbek team investigating the Hellenistic se lements in the vicinity of Darband, in the upper reaches of the Sherabad Darya, in the Baysun District of southern Uzbekistan in season 2019. A significant amount of archaeological material has been obtained using a systematic surface metal detector survey and targeted excavations of a limited scope. We were able to confirm that some of these sites, such as Daganajam Tepa and perhaps also Mirzali, were inhabited only in the Hellenistic period, while in the case of the others, a se lement in the 3 rd and 2 nd centuries BC was only one of their occupation phases (Kapchigay Tepa, Darband wall).
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Iskandar Tepa is a recently excavated rural settlement site in the steppe piedmonts of the Kugitang, the westernmost foothills of the Pamir-Alay Mountain range in south Uzbekistan. Archaeological and numismatic investigation suggests that... more
Iskandar Tepa is a recently excavated rural settlement site in the steppe piedmonts of the Kugitang, the westernmost foothills of the Pamir-Alay Mountain range in south Uzbekistan. Archaeological and numismatic investigation suggests that the site might have belonged to the system of outposts or watch-posts serving the strategic needs of the last Greco-Bactrian rulers to control the Sogdian-Bactrian borderlands and especially to control the communication routes leading through this region. This phase was followed by the occupation of the site by newly arrived (semi)nomadic people who took control of northern Bactria's territory during the second half of the 2nd century BCE. A quantitative and typological examination was performed on the pottery recovered at the site aiming to provide a preliminary overview of the ceramic repertoire and complementary chronological data for accurate dating. Different wares of all functional categories were identified with a predominance of closed shapes of the table and common wares, and the pithoi or large storage jars. We established typological analogies with the ceramic prototypes found in other coeval and nearby settlements and also recognized variations among the sites. Complementary to the previous archaeometric studies on ceramics from northern Bactria, we also present the characterization of a small ceramic assemblage to investigate their provenance and technology using a combination of analytical methods (WD-XRF, XRD, and OM). Archaeometric results reveal various paste recipes associated with specific chronologies and functional purposes, whose provenance can be located in several pottery workshops within the Amu/Sherabad/Surkhan rivers floodplain. The study demonstrates that ceramic prototypes and exchanges evolved during the period of occupation of the site, which has been preliminarily fixed between the 2nd century BCE and the 1st century CE.
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This report focuses on a group of petroglyphs that were recently discovered and documented near the village of Zarabag in the Sherabad District (south Uzbekistan). Although the prehistoric and early medieval petroglyphs rank among the... more
This report focuses on a group of petroglyphs that were recently discovered and documented near the village of Zarabag in the Sherabad District (south Uzbekistan). Although the prehistoric and early medieval petroglyphs rank among the most well -known and studied phenomena in the archaeology of Central Asia, they have been virtually unknown in south Uzbekistan. The group consists of 42 individual stones with rock art that have been recently found, carefully documented and preliminarily analysed. This paper offers a brief description of the site, and of the individual petroglyphs, their basic typology and preliminary dating as well as a spatial analysis.
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This preliminary report summarizes the results of the archaeological research in the oases in the Kugitang Piedmont after the second season (summer 2016). The field survey in the Zarabag Oasis, which was the subject of our interest in the... more
This preliminary report summarizes the results of the archaeological research in the oases in the Kugitang Piedmont after the second season (summer 2016). The field survey in the Zarabag Oasis, which was the subject of our interest in the first season, was accomplished and the research continued in the oases where the villages of Karabag and Kampyrtepa are situated. The prospection led to the detection of new archaeological sites in both of them. Moreover, the examination of the sites previously known from earlier works was conducted. Besides this we focused on the the mapping of the water sources. The collected data have been processed in GIS and the finds were analysed and dated. Preliminarily, we observe basically a similar dynamic in the settlement patterns of all the researched oases.
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This article brings an up‑to‑date evaluation of the archaeological research in the core of the Bactro‑Sogdian borderlands, i.e., in the vicinity of the Darband Wall, Baysun District, southern Uzbekistan, including the most recent results... more
This article brings an up‑to‑date evaluation of the archaeological research in the core of the Bactro‑Sogdian borderlands, i.e., in the vicinity of the Darband Wall, Baysun District, southern Uzbekistan, including the
most recent results of the fieldwork of the Czech‑Uzbek archaeological expedition. These are combined with the fruits of the efforts of other local and international teams busy in this region for the last twenty years in
a spatiotemporal assessment. Building upon the lack of evidence, the author argues against the identification of the selected locations in the region as places where the events connected with the invasion of Alexander the Great took place. We also show that the area of the Baysun District including Darband was for the first time in history settled in the Seleucid / Greco‑Bactrian period. The original function of the Darband Wall
itself was most probably related to an event preceding the campaign of Antiochos III to Bactria and the presumed threat of nomads.
most recent results of the fieldwork of the Czech‑Uzbek archaeological expedition. These are combined with the fruits of the efforts of other local and international teams busy in this region for the last twenty years in
a spatiotemporal assessment. Building upon the lack of evidence, the author argues against the identification of the selected locations in the region as places where the events connected with the invasion of Alexander the Great took place. We also show that the area of the Baysun District including Darband was for the first time in history settled in the Seleucid / Greco‑Bactrian period. The original function of the Darband Wall
itself was most probably related to an event preceding the campaign of Antiochos III to Bactria and the presumed threat of nomads.
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S OF INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE “FORMATION OF HISTORICAL-CULTURAL AREAS IN CENTRAL ASIA AND PROBLEMS OF ETHNIC GEOGRAPHY” Таҳрир ҳайъати: Э.В.Ртвеладзе, А.С.Сагдуллаев, Р.Ҳ.Сулейманов, Ш.Б.Шайдуллаев, Л.Станчо, Ж.Луиллиер,... more
S OF INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE “FORMATION OF HISTORICAL-CULTURAL AREAS IN CENTRAL ASIA AND PROBLEMS OF ETHNIC GEOGRAPHY” Таҳрир ҳайъати: Э.В.Ртвеладзе, А.С.Сагдуллаев, Р.Ҳ.Сулейманов, Ш.Б.Шайдуллаев, Л.Станчо, Ж.Луиллиер, М.-Ш.Кдырниязов, А.Ш.Шайдуллаев, Ж.Э.Тоғаев. Редакционная коллегия: Э.В.Ртвеладзе, А.С.Сагдуллаев, Р.Х.Сулейманов, Ш.Б.Шайдуллаев, Л.Станчо, Ж.Луиллиер, М.-Ш.Кдырниязов, А.Ш.Шайдуллаев, Ж.Э.Тогаев. Editorial board: E.V.Rtveladze, A.S.Sagdullaev, R.H.Suleymanov, Sh.B.Shaydullaev, L.Stancho, J.Lhuillier, M.S.Kdyrniyazov, A.Sh.Shaydullaev, J.E.Togaev. ОТ-Ф1-91 “Марказий Осиёда тарихий-маданий вилоятларнинг шаклланиши ва этник география муаммолари” номли фундаментал лойиҳа доирасида бажарилди. Формирование историко-культурных областей в Центральной Азии и проблемы этнической географии 14 Все они дают возможность для дальнейших исследований, археологических раскопок, поскольку они не перекрыты какими-либо структурами или растительностью, учитывая тот факт, что...
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The extensive archaeological surface survey conducted by the Czech-Uzbek team in the Baysun Mountains (south Uzbekistan) that started in spring 2017 continued a year later, in April and May 2018. Its aim was to detect archaeological sites... more
The extensive archaeological surface survey conducted by the Czech-Uzbek team in the Baysun Mountains (south Uzbekistan) that started in spring 2017 continued a year later, in April and May 2018. Its aim was to detect archaeological sites of the Hellenistic period, as well as to verify the dating and interpretation of already known settlements in the given district and thus to extend and refine the archaeological map of Southern Uzbekistan. This report brings basic overview of the thus gained archaeological data.
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This paper deals with a newly found terracotta head from the Sherabad District, southern Uzbekistan. Its probable origin in the eastern Turkestan region of Khotan as well as its iconographic peculiarities and their interpretation is... more
This paper deals with a newly found terracotta head from the Sherabad District, southern Uzbekistan. Its probable origin in the eastern Turkestan region of Khotan as well as its iconographic peculiarities and their interpretation is discussed. kEywordS Terracotta; clay figurine; Bactria; Tokharistan; Khotan; Babatepa; Late Antiquity. Prof. Jan Bouzek, our honoree, has always been and still is busy searching for connections and relations between cultural phenomena from seemingly distant times and places. He is famous for his ability to see things in a broader context, which is one of the qualities he has taught us. This – let us say – holistic approach to archaeology is made possible only by his enormous erudition and phenomenal memory. Since prof. Bouzek has many times dealt with various issues on the edge of the so -called Classical World, the present author decided to dedicate a short study to such a peripheral – seen from a classical archaeology point of view – subject, connected...
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This report represents an overview of the archaeological data that were acquired by the extensive archae‐ ological surface survey conducted by the Czech ‐Uzbek team in the Baysun Mountains, south Uzbekistan, especially on the ridges of... more
This report represents an overview of the archaeological data that were acquired by the extensive archae‐ ological surface survey conducted by the Czech ‐Uzbek team in the Baysun Mountains, south Uzbekistan, especially on the ridges of Sarymas, Susiztag and Alamli, as well as in the adjacent valleys, in spring 2017. The work focused predominantly on the detecting of ancient roads, fortifications and places of refuge.
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In its three field seasons between 2015 and 2017 the Czech ‐Uzbekistani archaeological mission has focused on the area of the eastern Kugitang piedmonts, especially the Paskhurt Valley (southern Uzbekistan) in order to examine its... more
In its three field seasons between 2015 and 2017 the Czech ‐Uzbekistani archaeological mission has focused on the area of the eastern Kugitang piedmonts, especially the Paskhurt Valley (southern Uzbekistan) in order to examine its historical cultural development. As one of the simultaneous activities, excavations of various selected kurgans and kurgan ‐like features, which were newly detected in the area have been undertaken. Special attention was paid to the connection between kurgans and settlement sites nearby, particularly those of the Yaz I period (Early Iron Age Period, late 2nd millennium BC). Three kurgans of the Yaz I period have been uncovered, however their purpose was not identified with a sepulchral use, but rather with a ritual one. Besides the excavation of – in local terms – larger kurgans at the site of Kayrit 1, lesser simple stone structures were also excavated.
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This text represents an overview of the results of the extensive surface survey, conducted in the hinterland of the site of Burgut Kurgan, south Uzbekistan, during its excavations in 2015. The basic data on the settlements, kurgans and... more
This text represents an overview of the results of the extensive surface survey, conducted in the hinterland of the site of Burgut Kurgan, south Uzbekistan, during its excavations in 2015. The basic data on the settlements, kurgans and related phenomena are presented here, as well as a preliminary interpretation of the whole as a complex cultural landscape of the Late Bronze / Early Iron Age.
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This text summarizes the preliminary results of the first season of archaeological excavations at the site of Burgut Kurgan in Pashkhurt Valley, south Uzbekistan, which were conducted by the Czech-Uzbekistani-French team in 2015. The site... more
This text summarizes the preliminary results of the first season of archaeological excavations at the site of Burgut Kurgan in Pashkhurt Valley, south Uzbekistan, which were conducted by the Czech-Uzbekistani-French team in 2015. The site represents a unique walled settlement of the transitional period between the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age of southern Central Asia.
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At the turn of August and September 2017, the third season of the research in the oases of the Kugitang Pied‐ monts, South Uzbekistan, resumed the field survey of the three oases that had been researched in previous seasons (2015:... more
At the turn of August and September 2017, the third season of the research in the oases of the Kugitang Pied‐ monts, South Uzbekistan, resumed the field survey of the three oases that had been researched in previous seasons (2015: Zarabag; 2016: Zarabag, Karabag, Kampyrtepa). The 2017 survey was conducted in the areas of the modern villages of Maydon and Goz. The following report presents new archaeological data gained from these two oases and their hinterlands. The methods used during the survey were the same as in the previous seasons. The evidence of settlement shows similar patterns and dynamics that were recognized in the other oases in the previous seasons.
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This report summarises the preliminary results of the first season of excavations at the site of Lungi Tepa in the Kugitang Piedmonts, south Uzbekistan. The research was conducted by an international (Czech-New Zealand-Uzbek)... more
This report summarises the preliminary results of the first season of excavations at the site of Lungi Tepa in the Kugitang Piedmonts, south Uzbekistan. The research was conducted by an international (Czech-New Zealand-Uzbek) archaeological-bioanthropological team in autumn 2019. The excavations focused on obtaining stratigraphic data from the Medieval settlement of Lungi Tepa and uncovering an adjacent burial ground in order to get well-dated reference material for future in-depth study of the High Medieval chronology of the studied region.
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Following up on the previous extensive surface surveys in the valleys and steppe of the Kugitang Mountains Piedmont in 2016 and 2017, the Czech-Uzbek archaeological expedition conducted small-scale trial excavations at the site of... more
Following up on the previous extensive surface surveys in the valleys and steppe of the Kugitang Mountains Piedmont in 2016 and 2017, the Czech-Uzbek archaeological expedition conducted small-scale trial excavations at the site of Iskandar Tepa, which had been identified as a small rural Greco-Bactrian settlement. The main aim of the project was to confirm the dating and to reveal its possible function in the fortification system of the period in the Bactro-Sogdian borderlands. This report offers basic information on the field work and its results in the 2018 season.
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Today, the Surkhan Darya region represents the southernmost administrative unit of Uzbekistan, which is from the point of view of physical geography a clearly delimited territory. According to the Greek literary sources, in antiquity this... more
Today, the Surkhan Darya region represents the southernmost administrative unit of Uzbekistan, which is from the point of view of physical geography a clearly delimited territory. According to the Greek literary sources, in antiquity this area formed a buffer zone between two important historical regions, those of Bactria and Sogdiana (Strabo 11.11.1–2). The correct assignment of this region to one of the two aforementioned entities poses, at least in the so-called Hellenistic period,2 a complicated historical-geographical problem that remains unresolved despite being addressed repeatedly by numerous scholars (P´yankov 1982, 34–39; Masson 1985, 250; Rtveladze 1990, 4–5; Abdullaev 1997; Rapin 2013; 2018) and the present author has no ambition to do this in the following pages either. However, to understand the history of the region in question in the 3rd–2nd centuries BC, it is necessary to put it into a broader context of developments in southern Central Asia in the Early Iron Age, and to set it against the realities of the Late Achaemenid period. In the following pages, I am going to characterise this particular part of the eastern Hellenistic world
using predominantly archaeological and numismatic sources without any claims to present more general conclusions of a historical nature, concerning the whole of Bactria, still less the entire ‘Hellenized East’. (Fig. 11.1).
using predominantly archaeological and numismatic sources without any claims to present more general conclusions of a historical nature, concerning the whole of Bactria, still less the entire ‘Hellenized East’. (Fig. 11.1).
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This paper aims to study interactions between ancient societies in semi-arid mountainous landscape of southern Central Asia using GIS based mobility analysis. The study region covers the south-eastern part of Uzbekistan along with narrow... more
This paper aims to study interactions between ancient societies in semi-arid mountainous landscape of southern Central Asia using GIS based mobility analysis. The study region covers the south-eastern part of Uzbekistan along with narrow strips of neighbouring countries with a core area around present-day Darband village in the Baysun District. The presented GIS model is based on cumulative focal mobility network (CFMN) analysis derived from freely available ASTER DEM. Basically, CFMN approach builds on the idea of “movement without destination”. Even if the model should be generally valid for any historical period, our primary targeted period was the early historic, particularly Achaemenid and Hellenistic ones, connected with movement of large armed forces over the mountains. The model was immediately tested in the field and adjusted according to the archaeological reality. Predicted paths were confirmed in the field by finds of various nature, such as small ettlements and individual objects. Moreover, the use and the course of historical roads was corroborated also by their functioning in the recent past or even nowadays. The pre-dictive – post-dictive framework of the research allowed us to reflect field observations in the model building and better understand archaeological findings. Resulting sequence of algorithms of the CFMN approach appears to be well-suitable for the region-scale research of communication networks and mobility of ancient populations.
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Summary: Archaeological data from Bactria of the Kushan period indicate rapid population growth, construction of complicated irrigation and water-supply systems, as well as founding of new and expanding of already existing towns and rural... more
Summary: Archaeological data from Bactria of the Kushan period indicate rapid population growth, construction of complicated irrigation and water-supply systems, as well as founding of new and expanding of already existing towns and rural settlements. Large scale construction
was impossible without a unified system of length measures. The Kushans, being the descendants of Yuezhi nomads and thus lacking their own system, had to adopt it. The system in question can be traced not only in architecture, but also in the spatial distribution of the sites.
Keywords: Bactria, the Kushans, system of length measures, Sherabad oazis.
was impossible without a unified system of length measures. The Kushans, being the descendants of Yuezhi nomads and thus lacking their own system, had to adopt it. The system in question can be traced not only in architecture, but also in the spatial distribution of the sites.
Keywords: Bactria, the Kushans, system of length measures, Sherabad oazis.
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The extensive archaeological surface survey conducted by the Czech-Uzbek team in the Baysun Mountains (south Uzbekistan) that started in spring 2017 continued a year later, in April and May 2018. Its aim was to detect archaeological sites... more
The extensive archaeological surface survey conducted by the Czech-Uzbek team in the Baysun Mountains (south Uzbekistan) that started in spring 2017 continued a year later, in April and May 2018. Its aim was to detect archaeological sites of the Hellenistic period, as well as to verify the dating and interpretation of already known settlements in the given district and thus to extend and refine the archaeological map of Southern Uzbekistan. This report brings basic overview of the thus gained archaeological data.
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Kurgans are characteristic monuments of the Central Asian cultural landscape. The eastern piedmonts of the Kugitang mountain range (Southern Uzbekistan) emerged to be a noteworthily rich area in the occurrence of these various structures... more
Kurgans are characteristic monuments of the Central Asian cultural landscape. The eastern piedmonts of the Kugitang mountain range (Southern Uzbekistan) emerged to be a noteworthily rich area in the occurrence of these various structures made of stones or soil and become one of the main research areas of the Czech‑ Uzbekistani Archaeological Expedition. Following the previous research of the season 2017, in 2018 the main attention was paid to the mapping of kurgans in the vicinity of the villages of Loylagan and Gurjak. Almost one hundred varied stone structures have been detected in this area, the majority of them labelled as a kurgan. This report presents the preliminary results of the field survey, a description of the morphology and a basic spatial analysis of the kurgans and their distribution within both the physical and historical landscape.
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After four seasons of fieldwork in the Sherabad Oasis, our database included 125 archaeological sites,63 of which only 14 belonged to a group of sites which we ourselves did not visit and surveyed, but we got the information about them... more
After four seasons of fieldwork in the Sherabad Oasis, our database
included 125 archaeological sites,63 of which only 14 belonged to a group of sites which we ourselves did not visit and surveyed, but we got the information about them from the scholarly literature and did not check them in the field for various reasons. Some sites were visited several times, several of them had been recorded even before the start of the systematic mapping during the Jandavlattepa excavations (2002–2006). Most, more precisely 78, of the 111 visited sites revealed ceramic
finds, 70 out of these have given new dating information. In many cases, new dating either expands or slightly corrects chronological data suggested by scholars in the previous scholarly literature. About
36 sites, on the other hand, lack any solid chronological indications. It should be noted that we have also included sites situated in the former Kizirik District, since they form a homogenous unit with those in Sherabad District being part of the Sherabad Oasis or its irrigation system both in the past and today. Therefore, altogether 17 lowlands sites in our database out of the 125 belong to the former Kizirik District or lie on its border with the Angor District.
included 125 archaeological sites,63 of which only 14 belonged to a group of sites which we ourselves did not visit and surveyed, but we got the information about them from the scholarly literature and did not check them in the field for various reasons. Some sites were visited several times, several of them had been recorded even before the start of the systematic mapping during the Jandavlattepa excavations (2002–2006). Most, more precisely 78, of the 111 visited sites revealed ceramic
finds, 70 out of these have given new dating information. In many cases, new dating either expands or slightly corrects chronological data suggested by scholars in the previous scholarly literature. About
36 sites, on the other hand, lack any solid chronological indications. It should be noted that we have also included sites situated in the former Kizirik District, since they form a homogenous unit with those in Sherabad District being part of the Sherabad Oasis or its irrigation system both in the past and today. Therefore, altogether 17 lowlands sites in our database out of the 125 belong to the former Kizirik District or lie on its border with the Angor District.
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In its three field seasons between 2015 and 2017 the Czech‑Uzbekistani archaeological mission has focused on the area of the eastern Kugitang piedmonts, especially the Paskhurt Valley (southern Uzbekistan) in order to examine its... more
In its three field seasons between 2015 and 2017 the Czech‑Uzbekistani archaeological mission has focused on the area of the eastern Kugitang piedmonts, especially the Paskhurt Valley (southern Uzbekistan) in order to examine its historical cultural development. As one of the simultaneous activities, excavations of various selected kurgans and kurgan‑like features, which were newly detected in the area have been undertaken. Special attention was paid to the connection between kurgans and settlement sites nearby, particularly those of the Yaz I period (Early Iron Age Period, late 2nd millennium BC). Three kurgans of the Yaz I period have been uncovered, however their purpose was not identified with a sepulchral use, but rather with a ritual one. Besides the excavation of – in local terms – larger kurgans at the site of Kayrit 1, lesser simple stone structures were also excavated.
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This report represents an overview of the archaeological data that were acquired by the extensive archaeological surface survey conducted by the Czech‑Uzbek team in the Baysun Mountains, south Uzbekistan, especially on the ridges of... more
This report represents an overview of the archaeological data that were acquired by the extensive archaeological surface survey conducted by the Czech‑Uzbek team in the Baysun Mountains, south Uzbekistan,
especially on the ridges of Sarymas, Susiztag and Alamli, as well as in the adjacent valleys, in spring 2017. The work focused predominantly on the detecting of ancient roads, fortifications and places of refuge.
especially on the ridges of Sarymas, Susiztag and Alamli, as well as in the adjacent valleys, in spring 2017. The work focused predominantly on the detecting of ancient roads, fortifications and places of refuge.
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Having discussed the extent of the arable land and also of the irrigation systems in the Northern Bactria (with the Sherabad Oasis, south Uzbekistan, as a case-study region) during the Kushan Period, we have arrived at the conclusion that... more
Having discussed the extent of the arable land and also of the irrigation
systems in the Northern Bactria (with the Sherabad Oasis, south Uzbekistan, as a case-study region) during the Kushan Period, we have arrived at the conclusion that sowing areas of that time most probably multiplied compare to the Greco-Bactrian and Transitional (You-zhi) Period [7]. Whatever reason led to this new dynamics, the pace of the agricultural development must have been followed by technological means to process the crop. The likely response to this hypothetic rising demand was an introduction of rotary quern stones, fairly firmly established in the distant Mediterranean region by the Roman Imperial period. In this paper, acknowledging the importance of this phenomena, I would like to discuss some related chronological and conceptual issues.
systems in the Northern Bactria (with the Sherabad Oasis, south Uzbekistan, as a case-study region) during the Kushan Period, we have arrived at the conclusion that sowing areas of that time most probably multiplied compare to the Greco-Bactrian and Transitional (You-zhi) Period [7]. Whatever reason led to this new dynamics, the pace of the agricultural development must have been followed by technological means to process the crop. The likely response to this hypothetic rising demand was an introduction of rotary quern stones, fairly firmly established in the distant Mediterranean region by the Roman Imperial period. In this paper, acknowledging the importance of this phenomena, I would like to discuss some related chronological and conceptual issues.
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The Czech-Uzbekistani archaeological team conducted archaeological surface surveys in the Sherabad district, South Uzbekistan between 2008 and 2011 and in 2014. This effort yielded a substantial amount of fresh archaeological data linked... more
The Czech-Uzbekistani archaeological team conducted archaeological surface surveys in the Sherabad district, South Uzbekistan between
2008 and 2011 and in 2014. This effort yielded a substantial amount of fresh archaeological data linked predominantly to the Kushan and Medieval periods. Besides, some new Yaz culture sites and new material from the sites already known has been collected. The general picture shows obvious changes in the settlement structure compare to the Late Bronze Age with new central sites accompanied by satellite farmsteads in close proximity. As very promising appears to be a newly discovered site of the Yaz I period in the Pashkhurt valley along with the traces of prehistoric irrigation system.
2008 and 2011 and in 2014. This effort yielded a substantial amount of fresh archaeological data linked predominantly to the Kushan and Medieval periods. Besides, some new Yaz culture sites and new material from the sites already known has been collected. The general picture shows obvious changes in the settlement structure compare to the Late Bronze Age with new central sites accompanied by satellite farmsteads in close proximity. As very promising appears to be a newly discovered site of the Yaz I period in the Pashkhurt valley along with the traces of prehistoric irrigation system.
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The valleys of the Kugitang piedmont (Sherabad District, Surkhandarya Province, Uzbekistan) have been investigated by the Czech ‑Uzbekistani expedition since 2011. Over the last three years, hundreds of stone fea‑ tures have been detected... more
The valleys of the Kugitang piedmont (Sherabad District, Surkhandarya Province, Uzbekistan) have been investigated by the Czech ‑Uzbekistani expedition since 2011. Over the last three years, hundreds of stone fea‑ tures have been detected and preliminarily interpreted as kurgans (i.e. burial mounds); the purpose of these features, however, still remains unclear. Consequently, the kurgans started to be systematically investigated in 2017. This report presents preliminary results of the field survey, a morphological description and a basic spatial analysis of the kurgans within clusters, and the clusters themselves within the surrounding landscape.
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At the turn of August and September 2017, the third season of the research in the oases of the Kugitang Pied‑ monts, South Uzbekistan, resumed the field survey of the three oases that had been researched in previous seasons (2015:... more
At the turn of August and September 2017, the third season of the research in the oases of the Kugitang Pied‑ monts, South Uzbekistan, resumed the field survey of the three oases that had been researched in previous seasons (2015: Zarabag; 2016: Zarabag, Karabag, Kampyrtepa). The 2017 survey was conducted in the areas of the modern villages of Maydon and Goz. The following report presents new archaeological data gained from these two oases and their hinterlands. The methods used during the survey were the same as in the previous seasons. The evidence of settlement shows similar patterns and dynamics that were recognized in the other oases in the previous seasons.
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This brief report presents a preliminary overview of the results and data gained during the extensive ar‑ chaeological surface survey conducted in the eastern foothills of the Kugitang Mountains, especially in the northern Pashkhurt basin... more
This brief report presents a preliminary overview of the results and data gained during the extensive ar‑ chaeological surface survey conducted in the eastern foothills of the Kugitang Mountains, especially in the northern Pashkhurt basin in the late summer of 2016 and 2017.
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The ceramic – and particularly fine ware – production in Bactria / Tokharistan of the Kushan-Sasanian period shows typical characteristics both in morphological and decorative treatment that make it different from the preceding production... more
The ceramic – and particularly fine ware – production in Bactria / Tokharistan of the Kushan-Sasanian period shows typical characteristics
both in morphological and decorative treatment that make it different from the preceding production of the Great Kushan period. In this study, I would like to shed some more light on the decoration of fine ware cups with a simple motif: the frontal depiction of a lion head / face. Sources of origin, symbolic meaning, spatial distribution and importance for dating of the given pottery group and related issues is addressed.
both in morphological and decorative treatment that make it different from the preceding production of the Great Kushan period. In this study, I would like to shed some more light on the decoration of fine ware cups with a simple motif: the frontal depiction of a lion head / face. Sources of origin, symbolic meaning, spatial distribution and importance for dating of the given pottery group and related issues is addressed.
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This preliminary report summarizes the results of the archaeological research in the oases in the Kugitang Piedmont after the second season (summer 2016). The field survey in the Zarabag Oasis, which was the subject of our interest in the... more
This preliminary report summarizes the results of the archaeological research in the oases in the Kugitang Piedmont after the second season (summer 2016). The field survey in the Zarabag Oasis, which was the subject of our interest in the first season, was accomplished and the research continued in the oases where the villages of Karabag and Kampyrtepa are situated. The prospection led to the detection of new archaeological sites in both of them. Moreover, the examination of the sites previously known from earlier works was conducted. Besides this we focused on the the mapping of the water sources. The collected data have been processed in GIS and the finds were analysed and dated. Preliminarily, we observe basically a similar dynamic in the settlement patterns of all the researched oases.
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The paper summarises the results of the second season of exploration of the Yaz I walled settlement of Burgut Kurgan, south Uzbekistan. The 2016 excavations concentrated on the further investigation of the stone wall and on bringing to... more
The paper summarises the results of the second season of exploration of the Yaz I walled settlement of Burgut Kurgan, south Uzbekistan. The 2016 excavations concentrated on the further investigation of the stone wall and on bringing to light one entire settlement unit.
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This text summarizes the preliminary results of the first season of archaeological excavations at the site of Burgut Kurgan in Pashkhurt Valley, south Uzbekistan, which were conducted by the Czech-Uzbekistani-French team in 2015. The site... more
This text summarizes the preliminary results of the first season of archaeological excavations at the site of Burgut Kurgan in Pashkhurt Valley, south Uzbekistan, which were conducted by the Czech-Uzbekistani-French team in 2015. The site represents a unique walled settlement of the transitional period between the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age of southern Central Asia.
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This text summarizes the preliminary results of the first season of archaeological excavations at the site of Burgut Kurgan in Pashkhurt Valley, south Uzbekistan, which were conducted by the Czech-Uzbekistani-French team in 2015. The site... more
This text summarizes the preliminary results of the first season of archaeological excavations at the site of Burgut Kurgan in Pashkhurt Valley, south Uzbekistan, which were conducted by the Czech-Uzbekistani-French team in 2015. The site represents a unique walled settlement of the transitional period between the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age of southern Central Asia.
Research Interests:
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This report focuses on a group of petroglyphs that were recently discovered and documented near the village of Zarabag in the Sherabad District (south Uzbekistan). Although the prehistoric and early medieval petro-glyphs rank among the... more
This report focuses on a group of petroglyphs that were recently discovered and documented near the village of Zarabag in the Sherabad District (south Uzbekistan). Although the prehistoric and early medieval petro-glyphs rank among the most well-known and studied phenomena in the archaeology of Central Asia, they have been virtually unknown in south Uzbekistan. The group consists of 42 individual stones with rock art that have been recently found, carefully documented and preliminarily analysed. This paper offers a brief description of the site, and of the individual petroglyphs, their basic typology and preliminary dating as well as a spatial analysis.
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This text represents an overview of the results of the extensive surface survey, conducted in the hinterland of the site of Burgut Kurgan, south Uzbekistan, during its excavations in 2015. The basic data on the settlements , kurgans and... more
This text represents an overview of the results of the extensive surface survey, conducted in the hinterland of the site of Burgut Kurgan, south Uzbekistan, during its excavations in 2015. The basic data on the settlements , kurgans and related phenomena are presented here, as well as a preliminary interpretation of the whole as a complex cultural landscape of the Late Bronze / Early Iron Age.
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This text summarizes the preliminary results of the first season of archaeological excavations at the site of Burgut Kurgan in Pashkhurt Valley, south Uzbekistan, which were conducted by the Czech-Uzbekistani-French team in 2015. The site... more
This text summarizes the preliminary results of the first season of archaeological excavations at the site of Burgut Kurgan in Pashkhurt Valley, south Uzbekistan, which were conducted by the Czech-Uzbekistani-French team in 2015. The site represents a unique walled settlement of the transitional period between the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age of southern Central Asia.
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The sculpture from Mes Aynak is an essential corpus of material for the study of early Buddhist art in general, and the study of the late phase of Gandharan art in particular. The palette of materials used, the excellent state of... more
The sculpture from Mes Aynak is an essential corpus of material for the study of early Buddhist art in general, and the study of the late phase of Gandharan art in particular. The palette of materials used, the excellent state of preservation of the works, especially of the fragile clay sculptures and their polychromy, the interesting decorative elements, and the authentic provenance are all why the statues and reliefs from Mes Aynak continue to arouse interest. Thanks to the Prague exhibition, they can now be shared with the general public. We may hope that in addition to the objects published here, the complete group of finds kept in the National Museum in Kabul is studied and published in the future.
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e present article summarizes the methods and results of archaeological research initiated in the autumn 2015 in the Zarabag Oasis (Sherabad District, South Uzbekistan). e main goal of the research was to obtain basic data on the seelement... more
e present article summarizes the methods and results of archaeological research initiated in the autumn 2015 in the Zarabag Oasis (Sherabad District, South Uzbekistan). e main goal of the research was to obtain basic data on the seelement dynamics in the given area. e fieldwork methods comprised both extensive and intensive surface survey. e extensive part of the survey focused on detecting visible structures and morphological features in the landscape, detecting poery scaers and other finds and mapping water sources. As an intensive part of the project we carried out a systematic surface survey at a selected field in the oasis. ese works resulted in the detection of 20 sites, six water springs, and 16 pits belonging to karez systems. According to our surveys, the Zarabag Oasis has been continuously seeled by a mixed agricultural and nomadic population since at least the High Medieval Period, sporadic earlier occupation comprises not only the Early Medieval and the Late Antique Periods, but also the Late Bronze and the Early Iron Ages.
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Th is paper deals with a newly found terraco4a head from the Sherabad District, southern Uzbekistan. Its probable origin in the eastern Turkestan region of Khotan as well as its iconographic peculiarities and their interpretation is... more
Th is paper deals with a newly found terraco4a head from the Sherabad District, southern Uzbekistan. Its
probable origin in the eastern Turkestan region of Khotan as well as its iconographic peculiarities and their
interpretation is discussed.
probable origin in the eastern Turkestan region of Khotan as well as its iconographic peculiarities and their
interpretation is discussed.
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"The current publication presents results of the Czech-Uzbekistani archaeological expedition in southern Uzbekistan, particularly on the site of Jandavlattepa. This collaboration originated in 2001 as a joint project of the Archaeological... more
"The current publication presents results of the Czech-Uzbekistani archaeological expedition in southern Uzbekistan, particularly on the site of Jandavlattepa. This collaboration originated in 2001 as a joint project of the Archaeological Institute of Uzbekistan in Samarqand and the Institute for Classical Archaeology, Charles University in Prague. The pilot season took place the next year, in 2002. Since then, every year till 2006, a four to six-week-long excavation campaign under the direction of Kazim Abdullaev and Ladislav Stančo has been organised and a huge amount of archaeological material and data has been collected. This volume should be a starting issue of a number publications which shall present this data.
This publication has been divided into three parts. The first part contains a brief general description of the site and the history of its excavation, as well as geographical and topographical notes. The second and also core part contains a description of the archaeological situations in various sectors of the site. Sector 20, i.e. the citadel, is brought into special focus. The third part of the publication consists of studies devoted to various groups of finds: coins, textile-making implements, weapons and tools, jewellery and clay figurines and appliqués. A list of all small finds has been attached to the end of the book, with references to the form of depicting them either as a drawing or a photograph, and with reference to those places in the text, where special attention is paid to these finds."
This publication has been divided into three parts. The first part contains a brief general description of the site and the history of its excavation, as well as geographical and topographical notes. The second and also core part contains a description of the archaeological situations in various sectors of the site. Sector 20, i.e. the citadel, is brought into special focus. The third part of the publication consists of studies devoted to various groups of finds: coins, textile-making implements, weapons and tools, jewellery and clay figurines and appliqués. A list of all small finds has been attached to the end of the book, with references to the form of depicting them either as a drawing or a photograph, and with reference to those places in the text, where special attention is paid to these finds."
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The Czech-Uzbekistani archaeological team conducted between 2008 and 2011 archaeological surface survey in the Sherabad district, South Uzbekistan. This effort yielded substantial amount of fresh archaeological data linked predominantly... more
The Czech-Uzbekistani archaeological team conducted between 2008 and 2011 archaeological surface survey in the Sherabad district, South Uzbekistan. This effort yielded substantial amount of fresh archaeological data linked predominantly to the Kushan and Medieval, but also to the earlier periods. In this article, we pay attention to selected results of this research associated with funeral practices of nomad population of the piedmont steppe in this district, i.e. to nomad burials known as kurgans. One of the kurgans detected during the survey, has been partly excavated in 2014 season. Additionally, we describe briefly other archaeological sites newly detected in the area between Maydan and Karabag including Burgut Kurgan, important settlement of Yaz I period.
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Among the ceramic complex of late antique-early medieval Bactria/Tokharistan, there is a significant group of pottery, which is clearly defined by its shape, fabric and function. From the point of view of its usage, it is possible to call... more
Among the ceramic complex of late antique-early medieval Bactria/Tokharistan, there is a significant group of pottery, which is clearly defined by its shape, fabric and function. From the point of view of its usage, it is possible to call it conventionally table ware, but since it is not the only type of pottery used in this way, we would prefer to call it fine ware, in accordance with its fine
fabric, thin sherd and comparatively fine decoration. In the following pages, I would like to make more precise both the spatial and chronological frame, in which this pottery shape played an
important role in the material culture of the given region and to try to trace its probable origin. This study thus focuses mainly on the shape, discusses briefly its decoration and distribution, but is concerned with neither the technological and production issues nor the chemical composition of the clay or other similar characteristics of this ware.
fabric, thin sherd and comparatively fine decoration. In the following pages, I would like to make more precise both the spatial and chronological frame, in which this pottery shape played an
important role in the material culture of the given region and to try to trace its probable origin. This study thus focuses mainly on the shape, discusses briefly its decoration and distribution, but is concerned with neither the technological and production issues nor the chemical composition of the clay or other similar characteristics of this ware.
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This report intends to describe briefly the archaeological survey conducted by Czech-Uzbek team in Sherabad District which was accomplished in season 2009. Besides description of methods and current state of research the substantial part... more
This report intends to describe briefly the archaeological survey conducted by Czech-Uzbek team in Sherabad District which was accomplished in season 2009. Besides description of methods and current state of research the substantial part of paper presents an overview of the results achieved and basic information on each surveyed site. Data from season 2008 are also included.
Research Interests:
Bactria (Archaeology), Archaeology of Central Asia, Kushan empire (Archaeology), Kushan art and architecture, Archaeological survey, and 4 moreArchaeological field survey, Archaeology of Central Asia in Parthian, Kushan and Sasanian times, Archaeological surveying and mapping, and Medieval Central Asia and Iran
By analysing satellite pictures of Sherabad district in southern Uzbekistan in free available Google Earth software we managed to detect, during a short time over an area of approximately 22 x 25 km, several dozen features which might be... more
By analysing satellite pictures of Sherabad district in southern Uzbekistan in free available Google Earth software we managed to detect, during a short time over an area of approximately 22 x 25 km, several dozen features which might be considered archaeological sites, plus a number of uncertain features. In all, there were 150 different features, many of them previously archaeologically unknown. The verification in the field proved positive (settlements) as well as negative results (supposed irrigation system).
Research Interests:
Survey (Archaeological Method & Theory), Bactria (Archaeology), Remote Sensing (Archaeology), Archaeology of Central Asia, Kushan empire (Archaeology), and 7 moreArchaeological survey, Archaeological field survey, Google Earth, Google Earth as a research tool, Archaeology of Central Asia in Parthian, Kushan and Sasanian times, Archaeological surveying and mapping, and Medieval Central Asia and Iran
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Currently, southern Uzbekistan belongs to the regions of Central Asia that are – from the point of view of the Hellenistic studies – most intensely archaeologically researched thanks to the effort of the French, Russian, German, Uzbek and... more
Currently, southern Uzbekistan belongs to the regions of Central Asia that are – from the point of view of the Hellenistic studies – most intensely archaeologically researched thanks to the effort of the French, Russian, German, Uzbek and Czech teams working there in last few decades. Consequently, we do not lack the data to work on, on the contrary. What we are lacking, it is a proper evidence-based interpretative framework allowing us to transform the data into knowledge. Scholarship concerned with history and archaeology of Bactro-Sogdian borderlands of the Hellenistic period has always been strongly affected by various peculiar factors and motivations leading to the contradictory explanations of facts (such as attribution of individual cities / towns known from written sources, location of the border between the two geographical units, dating of principal sites). More often than not, argumentum ex silentio has been employed in order to corroborate an initial idea of a scholar. The sources that are largely silent in this case, are rather archaeological ones, while written sources speak too much at times, but are completely mute at other times.
The principal aim of this paper is not find the ultimate answers to the aforemetioned most controversial questions, but to show the most problematic moments in past research and to point out, how chronically they affect even the latest research. Last but not least, let me look for the proper question to the ultimate answer.
The principal aim of this paper is not find the ultimate answers to the aforemetioned most controversial questions, but to show the most problematic moments in past research and to point out, how chronically they affect even the latest research. Last but not least, let me look for the proper question to the ultimate answer.
Research Interests:
Wars that took place in distant fringes of the Hellenistic world – seen from Greek point of view – are typically the least known due to the scarcity or even complete lack of written sources and epigraphic data. Dealing with them, we rely... more
Wars that took place in distant fringes of the Hellenistic world – seen from Greek point of view – are typically the least known due to the scarcity or even complete lack of written sources and epigraphic data. Dealing with them, we rely mostly on comparatively limited archaeological record, offering often ambiguous interpretation possibilities.
Ancient Bactria, located as far away from the imaginary core of the Greek Hellenistic world as it could be, was for a short period of time during the Alexander the Great campaign in focus of attention of Greek historians. Information stemming from their accounts stimulated never ending debate about where the individual events of the conflict took place and who was involved. Subsequent developments and local conflicts both among Greco-Bactrian rulers themselves and between them and various nomadic tribes are rather hypothesised than really known. Some hypotheses are, however, generally taken for granted, accepted without questioning validity of available data and reasoning of previous generations of scholars.
To illustrate fragility of such "solid" historical narratives, I have chosen one case study: the famous Darband Wall aka Iron Gates of Bactria and surrounding system of fortresses. Seemingly well-researched fortification cluster founded in its modest form reportedly in the 2nd half of the 3rd c. BC by Greek rulers of Bactria against nomads from the north, and later rebuild, reinforced and extensively used by Kushans in the same way, offers rare opportunity to tell the story – with only a small effort of the archaeological field work – in a completely different way. This paper will focus on the possibilities in the interpretation of the Darband Wall itself from the tactical point of view, as well as of the whole fortification system in the Bactro-Sogdian borderlands and its strategical meaning based on the recent surface survey of the Czech-Uzbek team in the area in question.
Ancient Bactria, located as far away from the imaginary core of the Greek Hellenistic world as it could be, was for a short period of time during the Alexander the Great campaign in focus of attention of Greek historians. Information stemming from their accounts stimulated never ending debate about where the individual events of the conflict took place and who was involved. Subsequent developments and local conflicts both among Greco-Bactrian rulers themselves and between them and various nomadic tribes are rather hypothesised than really known. Some hypotheses are, however, generally taken for granted, accepted without questioning validity of available data and reasoning of previous generations of scholars.
To illustrate fragility of such "solid" historical narratives, I have chosen one case study: the famous Darband Wall aka Iron Gates of Bactria and surrounding system of fortresses. Seemingly well-researched fortification cluster founded in its modest form reportedly in the 2nd half of the 3rd c. BC by Greek rulers of Bactria against nomads from the north, and later rebuild, reinforced and extensively used by Kushans in the same way, offers rare opportunity to tell the story – with only a small effort of the archaeological field work – in a completely different way. This paper will focus on the possibilities in the interpretation of the Darband Wall itself from the tactical point of view, as well as of the whole fortification system in the Bactro-Sogdian borderlands and its strategical meaning based on the recent surface survey of the Czech-Uzbek team in the area in question.
Research Interests:
In order to understand better processes that were started by the campaign of Alexander the Great in southern Central Asia, the Czech-Uzbek team initiated a new field project in the Bactria – Sogdiana borderlands aiming to gain as much new... more
In order to understand better processes that were started by the campaign of Alexander the Great in southern Central Asia, the Czech-Uzbek team initiated a new field project in the Bactria – Sogdiana borderlands aiming to gain as much new spatial and chronological data on the period as possible. As a first step, extensive archaeological surface survey in the Baysun Mountains (south Uzbekistan) has been conducted in 2017 and 2018 in order to detect archaeological sites of the Hellenistic period, as well as to verify dating and interpretation of already known settlements in the given district. The second step begun in autumn 2018 consisted of targeted trial excavations of selected sites allowing for more precise dating, interpretation and broader characterisation of the settlements of the “Hellenistic” period. The third step – in-depth analysis of the complex data and historical interpretation – is currently underway. This paper presents the preliminary results of the ongoing project. (this was original abstract before the conference was postponed, final contribution was focused on the results of 2019 season).
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Starověká Baktrie, jako helénistické království, vznikla v důsledku tažení Alexandra Velikého na východ, byla tedy zpočátku typickou okupovanou (asijskou) zemí, jíž vládne cizí (evropská) mocnost se zásadně odlišným jazykem, kulturou,... more
Starověká Baktrie, jako helénistické království, vznikla v důsledku tažení Alexandra Velikého na východ, byla tedy zpočátku typickou okupovanou (asijskou) zemí, jíž vládne cizí (evropská) mocnost se zásadně odlišným jazykem, kulturou, náboženstvím, dějinami, ale i materiální kulturou. Vláda Alexandrových nástupců, především vládců seleukovské říše trvala zde několik desetiletí, ale ani nově nabytá politická samostatnost baktrijského království okolo roku 250 př. Kr. nepřinesla kulturní změnu či obnovu: v čele státu byli i nadále Řekové. Pro studium velmi komplikovaného obrazu společnosti ovlivňované kulturou řeckou, íránskou a indickou existují pouze omezené písemné prameny, včetně hrstky epigrafických památek, jejichž výpověď by byla spíše nedostatečná pro hlubší pochopení, je však výrazně doplněna prameny archeologickými, ikonografickými a numismatickými. V tomto příspěvku se pokusím ukázat, do jaké míry a s jakými možnými výsledky lze nahlížet tuto oblast v dané situaci prostřednictvím postkoloniálních teorií a hybridizace.
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V příspěvku je řešen zrod státních formací na území jižní části Střední Asie po pádu helénistických říší zejména ve vztahu k moderním definicím státu a chápání jeho zárodečné fáze - protostátu. Jako model je zde vybrán útvar rodící se... more
V příspěvku je řešen zrod státních formací na území jižní části Střední Asie po pádu helénistických říší zejména ve vztahu k moderním definicím státu a chápání jeho zárodečné fáze - protostátu. Jako model je zde vybrán útvar rodící se kušánské říše, resp. kmenový svaz Jüe-č a jeho etablování se na území starověké Baktrie v posledním století př. Kr.
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Last decades witnessed to a rapid growth in amount of archaeological data of various types available for study of past societies´ economy in southern Central Asia. Extensive surface surveys and their results allow now for preliminary... more
Last decades witnessed to a rapid growth in amount of archaeological data of various types available for study of past societies´ economy in southern Central Asia. Extensive surface surveys and their results allow now for preliminary conclusions concerning settlement pattern, water management systems, and centralisation in early historic periods. They allow, too, for speculations on possible motives of prehistoric societies in their spread eastwards and upwards in Bactria connected with search for natural resources. It is obvious now that the growth of population and emergence of proto-urban centres in Bactria was indeed related to construction of large-scale artificial irrigation systems and other sophisticated approaches to sedentary agriculture. Complementarily to these quantitative data, recent excavations of both prehistoric and early historic settlements and special analyses of material culture add some qualitative data on exchange and dispersal of knowledge and technologies (of grain processing, for instance) indirectly confirming increasing harvest yields after the turn of our era. What we still lack, it is sufficient paleo-environmental data, including relevant meteorological data sets, which would allow for complex reconstruction of the past landscapes and their dynamics in the diachronic perspective. This paper aims to postulate some hypotheses on economic functioning of past societies in southern Central Asia based on fresh archaeological data from the region that will necessarily need to be proven by further paleo-environmental studies.
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SHORTENED VESRION OF MY TALK IN VILNIUS (JANUARY 14 2019) at the International Seminar on Archaeology of Central Asia. This version has been reduced, I have removed most of slides that were shown elsewhere already, as well as important... more
SHORTENED VESRION OF MY TALK IN VILNIUS (JANUARY 14 2019) at the International Seminar on Archaeology of Central Asia. This version has been reduced, I have removed most of slides that were shown elsewhere already, as well as important unpublished enviromental data (sorry, but these will be published very soon).
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A total disaster, abandonment of the towns and villages, complete destruction of well-established settlement pattern of the Achaemenid period, this is firmly established scholarly view of the period of Alexander the Great and shortly... more
A total disaster, abandonment of the towns and villages, complete destruction of well-established settlement pattern of the Achaemenid period, this is firmly established scholarly view of the period of Alexander the Great and shortly afterwards in southern Central Asia. Was this picture valid for Bactria as a whole, or is it possible to redraw it here and there with a fresh archeological data? Last decade experiences the new excavations of the Hellenistic fortresses of Kurganzol and Uzundara in the Baysun foothills confirming strategic importance in this region for the protection of northern border of both the Seleucid and Greco-Bactrian kingdoms.
The most recent surveys of the Czech-Uzbekistani team show clearly that these lands were not barren wastelands, resembling military buffer zones furnished only with sophisticated fortifications, but also spaces for living of mixed population with strongly helenized material culture. In 3rd c. BC, each valley in the Kugitang and Baysuntau foothills got its own centraly placed agricultural settlement. Thus, this region was settled systematicaly for the first time in history in a few decades after Alexander´s eastern campaign. New data from the surface surveys in the Sherabad and Baysun Districts of southern Uzbekistan are corooborated by the materials from recent archaeological excavations (Iskandar Tepa).
Additionally, apparent absence of the archaeological material belonging to the so-called Achaemenid / Yaz III / Kuchuk IV period in the research area alows us to re-open the discussion on identification of particular places located around Baysun and Darband with those mentioned by Greek and Latin written sources, even if not solving it with an definite answer.
The most recent surveys of the Czech-Uzbekistani team show clearly that these lands were not barren wastelands, resembling military buffer zones furnished only with sophisticated fortifications, but also spaces for living of mixed population with strongly helenized material culture. In 3rd c. BC, each valley in the Kugitang and Baysuntau foothills got its own centraly placed agricultural settlement. Thus, this region was settled systematicaly for the first time in history in a few decades after Alexander´s eastern campaign. New data from the surface surveys in the Sherabad and Baysun Districts of southern Uzbekistan are corooborated by the materials from recent archaeological excavations (Iskandar Tepa).
Additionally, apparent absence of the archaeological material belonging to the so-called Achaemenid / Yaz III / Kuchuk IV period in the research area alows us to re-open the discussion on identification of particular places located around Baysun and Darband with those mentioned by Greek and Latin written sources, even if not solving it with an definite answer.
Research Interests:
В этом докладе представлен предварительный обзор результатов и данных, полученных в ходе обширной археологической разведки, проведенной в восточных предгорьях Кугитанских гор, особенно в северной Пашхурдской котловине в конце лета 2016 и... more
В этом докладе представлен предварительный обзор результатов и данных, полученных в ходе обширной археологической разведки, проведенной в восточных предгорьях Кугитанских гор, особенно в северной Пашхурдской котловине в конце лета 2016 и 2017 гг. Чешско-узбекская экспедиция возобновила здесь широкомасштабное обследование, начатое в сезоны 2014 и 2015 гг. В 2016 году окрестности Бургут-Кургана, а также селеный Кайрит и Зарабаг были подвергнуты нашим исследованиям. Основная цель состояла в том, чтобы охватить как можно больше ландшафта в районе Бургут-Кургана, ранее раскопанного памятника периода Яз-I. Мы сосредоточились на исследовании топографических особенностей памятников, включая каменные объекты, предварительно названные курганами. Они были обнаружены и систематизированы.
В августе 2017 года, завершив изучение окрестностей Бургут-Кургана, мы обратили внимание на другие части Пашхурдской долины, а также на территории к северу от нее, расположенные в предгорьях Кугитанга. В частности были обследованы зоны древнего орошения, поселения и дороги в предгорных оазисах Шерабадской равнины. Ш.Шайдуллаев отвечал за большую часть предварительного хронологического определения керамических комплексов.
В течение двух полевых сезонов 2016 и 2017 гг. были накоплены существенные археологические данные о динамике поселений в предгорьяx Кугитангa. Среди археологическиx объектoв можно выделить те, которые имеют наибольший потенциал для дальнейшего изучения. К ним относятся пещера Каптар-Камар с гончарными изделиями раннего железного века, поселения эпохи поздней бронзы Тулькитепа и Юлтепа, группы курганов и подобных объектов к западу от Зарабага, к северу от Карабага и Бургут-Кургана, между Гурджаком и Ходжаункан, а также группа поселений разных периодов, расположенных вдоль правого берега Дабилсая между селениями Пашхурд и Гоз.
Формирование историко-культурных областей в Центральной Азии и проблемы этнической географии
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Все они дают возможность для дальнейших исследований, археологических раскопок, поскольку они не перекрыты какими-либо структурами или растительностью, учитывая тот факт, что культурные слои указанных поселений относятся к одному периоду. То же самое можно сказать эллинистическом поселении Искандартепа около селения Лойлаган. Дальнейшие исследования в предгорьях Кугитанга и предварительные раскопки отдельных из упомянутых памятников, запланированы Чешско-узбекской экспедицией в сотрудничестве с археологами Франции.
В августе 2017 года, завершив изучение окрестностей Бургут-Кургана, мы обратили внимание на другие части Пашхурдской долины, а также на территории к северу от нее, расположенные в предгорьях Кугитанга. В частности были обследованы зоны древнего орошения, поселения и дороги в предгорных оазисах Шерабадской равнины. Ш.Шайдуллаев отвечал за большую часть предварительного хронологического определения керамических комплексов.
В течение двух полевых сезонов 2016 и 2017 гг. были накоплены существенные археологические данные о динамике поселений в предгорьяx Кугитангa. Среди археологическиx объектoв можно выделить те, которые имеют наибольший потенциал для дальнейшего изучения. К ним относятся пещера Каптар-Камар с гончарными изделиями раннего железного века, поселения эпохи поздней бронзы Тулькитепа и Юлтепа, группы курганов и подобных объектов к западу от Зарабага, к северу от Карабага и Бургут-Кургана, между Гурджаком и Ходжаункан, а также группа поселений разных периодов, расположенных вдоль правого берега Дабилсая между селениями Пашхурд и Гоз.
Формирование историко-культурных областей в Центральной Азии и проблемы этнической географии
14
Все они дают возможность для дальнейших исследований, археологических раскопок, поскольку они не перекрыты какими-либо структурами или растительностью, учитывая тот факт, что культурные слои указанных поселений относятся к одному периоду. То же самое можно сказать эллинистическом поселении Искандартепа около селения Лойлаган. Дальнейшие исследования в предгорьях Кугитанга и предварительные раскопки отдельных из упомянутых памятников, запланированы Чешско-узбекской экспедицией в сотрудничестве с археологами Франции.
Research Interests:
The pottery traditions of prehistoric Central Asia, with some minor exceptions (as widespread matt painted ware of the Yaz I period, for instance), typically did not feature painted, stamped or relief decoration. Most of the well-studied... more
The pottery traditions of prehistoric Central Asia, with some minor exceptions (as widespread matt painted ware of the Yaz I period, for instance), typically did not feature painted, stamped or relief decoration. Most of the well-studied Bronze Age and Early Iron Age wheel-thrown wares were simple, undecorated. Various decorative techniques on a wider scale were employed for the first time only in the Hellenistic period. While rare relief or mold-made decoration is clearly of the Greek Hellenistic origin (“Megarian bowls” etc.) and was introduced to Bactria only after Alexander the Great, the incised ornamentation, prominent on the later Kushan wares, may had had more complicated background. Among the motives that occur on the Hellenistic pottery of Bactria and adjacent regions, specific geometric patterns – such as triangles, small circles, or both combined - appear, even if rarely. In this paper, various aspects of these specific motives, their origin, semantics, spatial distribution and later use and developments will be addressed. Latest finds show that this type of decoration may help with dating and classification of newly surveyed sites as the Hellenistic ones, especially in those cases, where the most typical forms of the given period are lacking. The hypothesis about such chronological sensitivity of the geometric patterns needs to be further evaluated and verified.
Research Interests:
Study of settlement patterns in dry or semi-arid environments is inevitably connected with a research of accessibility of water sources and its artificial supply. Simple equation says that the better preserved landscape, the easier... more
Study of settlement patterns in dry or semi-arid environments is inevitably connected with a research of accessibility of water sources and its artificial supply. Simple equation says that the better preserved landscape, the easier reconstruction of water-bringing systems of the past and their changes. What if the landscape in question for whatever reason does not provide much traces of the original components of such a system, and at the same time legal limitations or restrictions – which is frequently the case of the modern Near Eastern and Central Asian countries – do prevent using of most effective ways of relevant archaeological investigation, such as Lidar, drons or traditional means of aerial archaeology? Having studied the settlement patterns of the Sherabad Oasis in southern Uzbekistan in various historical periods, we encountered such a problematic case, since we dealt with specific landscape affected significantly by human – especially agricultural – activities in the recent past. Our reconstruction of the network of archaeological sites and historical irrigation canals is based on the correlation of the sites distribution on one hand, and on testimony of the rare source of data from the period that predated the extensive agriculture of the 20th c. represented by old maps, and corroborated by accidental remaining terrain features, on the other. The resulting reconstruction helps to understand dynamics of the settlement in the research area and to explain some peculiar features of the settlement distribution. This case study, even if it needs to be further tested, changes substantially previous scholarly view biased to certain degree by aforementioned – modern – changes of the cultural landscape.
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Результаты археологических исследований, посвященных кушанскому периоду в Бактрии и соседних регионах, свидетельствуют о быстром росте населения, строительстве сложных систем орошения и водоснабжения, а также о создании или расширении как... more
Результаты археологических исследований, посвященных кушанскому периоду в Бактрии и соседних регионах, свидетельствуют о быстром росте населения, строительстве сложных систем орошения и водоснабжения, а также о создании или расширении как старших городов, так и сельских поселений. Процесс урбанизации в беспрецедентных масштабах требовал не только высокой степени организационных навыков элиты и иерархии общества, позволяющей управлять всеми этими предприятиями, но и неизбежным инструментом для этого: это единые единицы измерения. Кушанцы, будучи самими из поколениями кочевников Юэджи, не имели традиционной системы единиц измерения, поэтому были вынуждены принять одну из существующих. При этом они стали удивительно последовательными в своем применении. Новые подразделения были введены и постепенно реализированы в архитектуре и урбанизации. И последнее, но не менее важное: структура поселений Кушанской Бактрии, как представляется, также сильно зависит от систематического использования единиц измерения. В этом докладе я попытаюсь решить описанную выше проблему, используя в основном археологические источники.
Results of archaeological research focused on the Kushan period in Bactria and neighbouring regions bear witness to rapid growth in population, construction of sophisticated irrigation and water-bringing systems, as well as founding or enlargement of both older towns and rural settlements. The process of urbanization on unprecedented scale required not only a high degree of organization skills of the elites and society hierarchy allowing for the management of all these undertakings, but also an inevitable tool to do that: unified measurement units. The Kushans, being themselves of nomad Yuezhi origin, did not have traditional measuring unit system, thus were forced to adopt one of the existing ones. While doing so, they became surprisingly consistent in their application. New units were introduced and gradually implemented in architecture and urbanisation. Last but not least, the settlement pattern of the Kushan Bactria seems to be also deeply influenced by systematic employment of the measurement units. In this paper, I attempt to resolve the above described problem using primarily archaeological sources.
Results of archaeological research focused on the Kushan period in Bactria and neighbouring regions bear witness to rapid growth in population, construction of sophisticated irrigation and water-bringing systems, as well as founding or enlargement of both older towns and rural settlements. The process of urbanization on unprecedented scale required not only a high degree of organization skills of the elites and society hierarchy allowing for the management of all these undertakings, but also an inevitable tool to do that: unified measurement units. The Kushans, being themselves of nomad Yuezhi origin, did not have traditional measuring unit system, thus were forced to adopt one of the existing ones. While doing so, they became surprisingly consistent in their application. New units were introduced and gradually implemented in architecture and urbanisation. Last but not least, the settlement pattern of the Kushan Bactria seems to be also deeply influenced by systematic employment of the measurement units. In this paper, I attempt to resolve the above described problem using primarily archaeological sources.
Research Interests:
Judging from his complex iconography on the Greco-Bactrian coins, Heracles ranked among the most popular and highly esteemed divine or semi-divine personages worshiped in Hellenistic Bactria. Introduced by Alexander the Great himself, he... more
Judging from his complex iconography on the Greco-Bactrian coins, Heracles ranked among the most popular and highly esteemed divine or semi-divine personages worshiped in Hellenistic Bactria. Introduced by Alexander the Great himself, he gained seemingly much popularity under Euthydemus I and his successors, rivalling Athena and even Zeus. Does it reflect the real folk popularity of the hero, or just the degree of propaganda attributed to him by the Greco-Macedonian rulers? This paper aims to examine, what was the meaning of this and other “warmonger” heroes, such as Dioscuri, for the Greek and native population of Bactria.
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Southern Central Asia in the period of the Late Antiquity, i.e. in the so-called Kushan-Sasanian period, is dealt with by scholars mostly from the point of view of global history. Questions of chronology, ruling dynasties, relation to the... more
Southern Central Asia in the period of the Late Antiquity, i.e. in the so-called Kushan-Sasanian period, is dealt with by scholars mostly from the point of view of global history. Questions of chronology, ruling dynasties, relation to the Sasanian Iran and other regions, and especially purely numismatic issues are frequently addressed. In this paper, I try to evaluate data provided by other material culture gained by the archaeological investigations.
After Sasanian conquest of Bactria / Tokharistan most settlements prolonged their life, even if in many cases the extent of the settled areas within the sites substantially shrank. In exceptional cases, the Kushan-Sasanian period seems to be the heyday of the town, as Zartepa clearly attests. It is remarkable that Buddhist communities did not disappear, but kept functioning until the end of the 4th c. at least (Chingiztepa, Karatepa, Dal´verzintepa, etc.). Small rural settlements still existed around the towns, too, even if not all of them, and the water bringing systems seems to be continuously maintained.
After Sasanian conquest of Bactria / Tokharistan most settlements prolonged their life, even if in many cases the extent of the settled areas within the sites substantially shrank. In exceptional cases, the Kushan-Sasanian period seems to be the heyday of the town, as Zartepa clearly attests. It is remarkable that Buddhist communities did not disappear, but kept functioning until the end of the 4th c. at least (Chingiztepa, Karatepa, Dal´verzintepa, etc.). Small rural settlements still existed around the towns, too, even if not all of them, and the water bringing systems seems to be continuously maintained.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The paper deals with results of the recent archaeological research of Czech-Uzbek-French team in piedmont steppe of southern Uzbekistan, particularly with settlement of Burgut Kurgan in Pashkhurt valley. Some structures uncovered at this... more
The paper deals with results of the recent archaeological research of Czech-Uzbek-French team in piedmont steppe of southern Uzbekistan, particularly with settlement of Burgut Kurgan in Pashkhurt valley. Some structures uncovered at this site and its surroundings offer a possibility to interpret them in terms of Zoroastrian cult. In this paper, preliminary thoughts on this topic are discussed and archaeological reality is confronted with early Zoroastrian funerary rites description, particularly those of Vendidat.
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This paper focus on evidence of both direct and indirect Roman presence in western Central Asia, more precisely in Bactria and Sogdiana, countries generally perceived as vertebrae on the backbone of Eurasian main trade routes in Roman /... more
This paper focus on evidence of both direct and indirect Roman presence in western Central Asia, more precisely in Bactria and Sogdiana, countries generally perceived as vertebrae on the backbone of Eurasian main trade routes in Roman / Han period. Archaeological evidence of contacts between Roman Empire and these lands will be addressed. What can we learn from so-called Roman imports, their quantity and quality? What type of mutual contacts do they prove? Did Roman imported goods influence local craft production and material culture? Rather small number of Roman imports and their specific nature leads us to doubts about the presumed importance of overland trade routes.
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The settlement structure in Bactria during the early Iron Age and the Hellenistic period has undergone considerable changes. Paradoxically, it appears that in some early stages of development – in the period of Yaz I culture in particular... more
The settlement structure in Bactria during the early Iron Age and the Hellenistic period has undergone considerable changes. Paradoxically, it appears that in some early stages of development – in the period of Yaz I culture in particular – some parts of Bactria prove to be more densely and more intensively settled than in the period after the fall of the Achaemenid mpire, when Bactria was ruled by Greeks. Czech-Uzbek expedition mapped the area of the Sherabad oasis, northwestern Bactria, where we can prove eight sites of the Hellenistic period, compared to ten – and mostly different – early Iron Age sites. Interesting situation has been attested in the nearby piedmont steppe belt: there is evidence of significant amount of the Yaz I and Yaz II settlements, fewer Achaemenid and only two Hellenistic sites. The placement of towns and fortresses in the wider area of northern Bactria Also varies considerably as well. The Achaemenid settlements on the
banks of the Amu Darya are rare, while in Hellenistic period this artery was guarded by new forts (e.g. Kamyrtepa, Termez). At the same time, in Hellenistic period new forts were constructed to reinforce the natural barrier of the mountains in the piedmonts of Kugitang and Baysuntau, such as newly excavated sites of Uzundara, Kurganzol, and already famous Iron-gate fort. In any case, the settlement distribution and density during both Achaemenid and Hellenistic periods shows clearly an
unexploited potential of the local landscape. The settlement structure of following Kushan period in its turn seems to be
considerably more intensive and extensive, not to mention
construction of sophisticated irrigation system.
banks of the Amu Darya are rare, while in Hellenistic period this artery was guarded by new forts (e.g. Kamyrtepa, Termez). At the same time, in Hellenistic period new forts were constructed to reinforce the natural barrier of the mountains in the piedmonts of Kugitang and Baysuntau, such as newly excavated sites of Uzundara, Kurganzol, and already famous Iron-gate fort. In any case, the settlement distribution and density during both Achaemenid and Hellenistic periods shows clearly an
unexploited potential of the local landscape. The settlement structure of following Kushan period in its turn seems to be
considerably more intensive and extensive, not to mention
construction of sophisticated irrigation system.
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Абсолютная хронология позднего кушанского и кушано-сасанидского периодов была предметом многих научных исследований, переговоров и даже целых конференций, иногда как часть дискуссий по кушанской хронологии в целом, иногда отдельно. В... more
Абсолютная хронология позднего кушанского и кушано-сасанидского периодов была предметом многих научных исследований, переговоров и даже целых конференций, иногда как часть дискуссий по кушанской хронологии в целом, иногда отдельно. В настоящем докладе будут рассмотрены некоторые выбранные проблемы, связанные с этим периодом, особенно сосредоточиться на расселение и структуру поселений в связи с хронологией этого периода. Мы покажем, как изменилoс распределение поселений в Бактрии из 3-го по 5-й века н.э. Рассуждения основаны главным образом на данных, полученных в ходе полевых исследований чешско-узбекского экспедиции в Шерабадском районе Сурхандарьинской области Узбекистана в 2008-2011.
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The key role of Buddhist monastic communities of Bactria and Sogdiana for the spread of Buddhism from India to China in first centuries AD is quite well attested by written and epigraphic sources, as well as archaeological finds. Numerous... more
The key role of Buddhist monastic communities of Bactria and Sogdiana for the spread of Buddhism from India to China in first centuries AD is quite well attested by written and epigraphic sources, as well as archaeological finds. Numerous monasteries, stupas, and shrines have been excavated and researched in last decades in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, and many individual examples of small plastic art connected with Buddhist religious practice were found here and there in Bactria and Transoxiana. All these data require setting of a new chronological framework that would rely on recently postulated chronology of Kushans and related phenomena. This paper presents an attempt of such an evaluation.
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The Czech-Uzbekistani archaeological team conducted between 2008 and 2011 archaeological surface survey in the Sherabad district, South Uzbekistan. This effort yielded substantial amount of fresh archaeological data linked predominantly... more
The Czech-Uzbekistani archaeological team conducted between 2008 and 2011 archaeological surface survey in the Sherabad district, South Uzbekistan. This effort yielded substantial amount of fresh archaeological data linked predominantly to the Kushan and Medieval periods. The aim of this paper is to make fellow scholars acquaint with the selected results of this research and. The attention will be paid to the nomad burials, known as kurgans.
In frame of the survey, piedmont steppe area northwest of Sherabad has been studied that covers more than half of the Sherabad District surface. The main tool used for site detection in the irrigated lowlands, i.e. satellite imagery (Corona, Ikonos, Google Earth) was much less useful in this area and the same goes for Soviet topographic maps. The topographical anomalies were not that obvious in these sources. To gain new archaeological data for the general map, we conducted field survey in selected parts of the region. During this work, we were able to find several clusters of kurgans in the piedmont steppes in the vicinity of villages Karabag and Loilagan. Subsequently, we mapped all of detected kurgans and in this field season (2014) we started excavations of selected objects in order to get chronologically sensitive material for the dating of these objects.
In frame of the survey, piedmont steppe area northwest of Sherabad has been studied that covers more than half of the Sherabad District surface. The main tool used for site detection in the irrigated lowlands, i.e. satellite imagery (Corona, Ikonos, Google Earth) was much less useful in this area and the same goes for Soviet topographic maps. The topographical anomalies were not that obvious in these sources. To gain new archaeological data for the general map, we conducted field survey in selected parts of the region. During this work, we were able to find several clusters of kurgans in the piedmont steppes in the vicinity of villages Karabag and Loilagan. Subsequently, we mapped all of detected kurgans and in this field season (2014) we started excavations of selected objects in order to get chronologically sensitive material for the dating of these objects.
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The aim of this paper is to trace main features of material culture in north-western parts of ancient Bactria (i.e. Surkhandarya district, Uzbekistan and the middle reaches of the Amudarya in Lebap district, Turkmenistan) in Late Antique... more
The aim of this paper is to trace main features of material culture in north-western parts of ancient Bactria (i.e. Surkhandarya district, Uzbekistan and the middle reaches of the Amudarya in Lebap district, Turkmenistan) in Late Antique period (2nd half of 3rd century – 1st half of 5th century AD). The substantial changes in settlement pattern and settlement morphology as well as qualitative changes in handicrafts of this area will be characterised and analysed. The basic data set for this analysis represents material from the Czech-Uzbek archaeological excavations on the site of Jandavlattepa in Sherabad district in Surkhandarya province, southern Uzbekistan, led by the present writer from Czech part. First of all we will evaluate ceramics (from the morphological as well as decorative point of view) and additionally also other small finds and architecture will be examined. In all these features one can observe gradual degradation or even leap down in evolution: clay for ceramics are poorly floated, pottery itself badly fired; quality of mud bricks is lessened as well and the same goes for masonry and architecture in general. From the above mentioned particular phenomena is possible to conclude some general characteristics of material culture in given period and to sketch in the incomplete picture of history and culture of this period which was preserved to us by scarce literary evidence.
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The events directly connected with the campaign of Alexander the Great in Central Asia are described vividly and in detail by ancient Greek authors and have been thoroughly evaluated by modern historians. Numismatic studies have... more
The events directly connected with the campaign of Alexander the Great in Central Asia are described vividly and in detail by ancient Greek authors and have been thoroughly evaluated by modern historians. Numismatic studies have reconstructed the history of the following centuries. However, our understanding of the (mutual?) acculturation
following the campaign remains limited. The aim of the conference was to discuss what actually happened in Central Asia at that time. It takes as much as possible a local point of view and ask how local people experienced these turbulent developments, and how they coped with the strange newcomers. As in the previous meetings of HCARN group in Reading 2016 and Berlin 2017, the Prague conference brings together archaeologists, historians, and numismatists working on various aspects of the Hellenistic Central Asia.
following the campaign remains limited. The aim of the conference was to discuss what actually happened in Central Asia at that time. It takes as much as possible a local point of view and ask how local people experienced these turbulent developments, and how they coped with the strange newcomers. As in the previous meetings of HCARN group in Reading 2016 and Berlin 2017, the Prague conference brings together archaeologists, historians, and numismatists working on various aspects of the Hellenistic Central Asia.
Research Interests:
The events directly connected with the campaign of Alexander the Great in Central Asia are described vividly and in detail by ancient Greek authors and have been thoroughly evaluated by modern historians. Numismatic studies have... more
The events directly connected with the campaign of Alexander the Great in Central Asia are described vividly and in detail by ancient Greek authors and have been thoroughly evaluated by modern historians. Numismatic studies have reconstructed the history of the following centuries. However, our understanding of the (mutual?) acculturation following the campaign remains limited.
The aim of the conference is to discuss what actually happened in Central Asia. It will take a local point of view and ask how local people experienced these turbulent developments, and how they coped with the strange newcomers.
As in the previous meetings of HCARN group, the conference will bring together archaeologists, historians, and numismatists working on various aspects of Hellenistic Central Asia.
Topics of interest include but are not limited to:
Locating the events of Alexander´s campaign: Combined analysis of archaeological and textual sources
Settlement patterns and dynamics in the late Achaemenid and Hellenistic Periods
Structural changes in the local society
Elites and their adapting to the new reality
Material culture: local or introduced?
New fieldwork at relevant archaeological sites
The aim of the conference is to discuss what actually happened in Central Asia. It will take a local point of view and ask how local people experienced these turbulent developments, and how they coped with the strange newcomers.
As in the previous meetings of HCARN group, the conference will bring together archaeologists, historians, and numismatists working on various aspects of Hellenistic Central Asia.
Topics of interest include but are not limited to:
Locating the events of Alexander´s campaign: Combined analysis of archaeological and textual sources
Settlement patterns and dynamics in the late Achaemenid and Hellenistic Periods
Structural changes in the local society
Elites and their adapting to the new reality
Material culture: local or introduced?
New fieldwork at relevant archaeological sites
Research Interests:
November 14-16 2018, Institute of Classical Archaeology, Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague The events directly connected with the campaign of Alexander the Great in Central Asia are described vividly and in detail by ancient... more
November 14-16 2018, Institute of Classical Archaeology, Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague
The events directly connected with the campaign of Alexander the Great in Central Asia are described vividly and in detail by ancient Greek authors and have been thoroughly evaluated by modern historians. Numismatic studies have reconstructed the history of the following centuries. However, our understanding of the (mutual?) acculturation following the campaign remains limited.
The aim of the conference is to discuss what actually happened in Central Asia. It will take a local point of view and ask how local people experienced these turbulent developments, and how they coped with the strange newcomers.
As in the previous meetings of HCARN group, the conference will bring together archaeologists, historians, and numismatists working on various aspects of Hellenistic Central Asia.
Topics of interest include but are not limited to:
• Locating the events of Alexander´s campaign: Combined analysis of archaeological and textual sources
• Settlement patterns and dynamics in the late Achaemenid and Hellenistic Periods
• Structural changes in the local society
• Elites and their adapting to the new reality
• Material culture: local or introduced?
• New fieldwork at relevant archaeological sites
We welcome proposals for 20-minute papers on relevant topics, from both established scholars and early career researchers. Abstracts of no more than 300 words, along with the author’s name, title and institutional affiliation, should be submitted to
hcarn3@ff.cuni.cz
no later than 31 May 2018.
Thanks to the generosity of the Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague, we anticipate being able to offer some travel funding to participants, on a case by case basis.
Ladislav Stančo (Charles University)
Gunvor Lindström (Deutsches Archäologisches Institut)
Rachel Mairs (University of Reading)
The events directly connected with the campaign of Alexander the Great in Central Asia are described vividly and in detail by ancient Greek authors and have been thoroughly evaluated by modern historians. Numismatic studies have reconstructed the history of the following centuries. However, our understanding of the (mutual?) acculturation following the campaign remains limited.
The aim of the conference is to discuss what actually happened in Central Asia. It will take a local point of view and ask how local people experienced these turbulent developments, and how they coped with the strange newcomers.
As in the previous meetings of HCARN group, the conference will bring together archaeologists, historians, and numismatists working on various aspects of Hellenistic Central Asia.
Topics of interest include but are not limited to:
• Locating the events of Alexander´s campaign: Combined analysis of archaeological and textual sources
• Settlement patterns and dynamics in the late Achaemenid and Hellenistic Periods
• Structural changes in the local society
• Elites and their adapting to the new reality
• Material culture: local or introduced?
• New fieldwork at relevant archaeological sites
We welcome proposals for 20-minute papers on relevant topics, from both established scholars and early career researchers. Abstracts of no more than 300 words, along with the author’s name, title and institutional affiliation, should be submitted to
hcarn3@ff.cuni.cz
no later than 31 May 2018.
Thanks to the generosity of the Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague, we anticipate being able to offer some travel funding to participants, on a case by case basis.
Ladislav Stančo (Charles University)
Gunvor Lindström (Deutsches Archäologisches Institut)
Rachel Mairs (University of Reading)
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Praha, Celetná 20,, 27. května 2016,
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Pozvánka na kolokvium, které se uskuteční v pátek 27. května 2016 v místnosti č. C138, Celetná 20 Jednání bude probíhat v českém jazyce. Přihlášky s názvy Vašich referátů posílejte laskavě do 20. dubna 2016.
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Пошхурд-Зарабоғ ботиғида аниқланган Кучук I даврига оид янги ёдгорликлар // “Қадимий Жиззах воҳаси – Марказий Осиё цивилизацияси тизимида (сиёсий, иқтисодий, маданий ҳаёт)” мавзуидаги Республика илмий-амалий конференция материаллари. –... more
Пошхурд-Зарабоғ ботиғида аниқланган Кучук I даврига оид янги ёдгорликлар // “Қадимий Жиззах воҳаси – Марказий Осиё цивилизацияси тизимида (сиёсий, иқтисодий, маданий ҳаёт)” мавзуидаги Республика илмий-амалий конференция материаллари. – Тошкент, «VNESHINVESTPROM» нашри, 2019. 110-114 бб.
Мақолада сўнгги йилларда Ўзбекистон-Чехия-Франция халқаро археологик экспедицияси томонидан аниқланиб фанга киритилган, сўнгги бронза ва илк темир даврига оид ёдгорликлар ҳақида маълумот келтирилган. Кучук I даврига оид ушбу қишлоқ типидаги ёдгорликлар 9 тани ташкил этиб, улардан 3 манзилгоҳ тошдан қурилган мудофаа девори билан ўраб олинган. Аниқланган ёдгорликлар бир суғорилиш воҳасида жойлашган бўлиб, Шимолий Бақтриянинг Кучук I даври суғорилиш районлари тўғрисидаги манбаларни бойитишга хизмат қилади.
Мақолада сўнгги йилларда Ўзбекистон-Чехия-Франция халқаро археологик экспедицияси томонидан аниқланиб фанга киритилган, сўнгги бронза ва илк темир даврига оид ёдгорликлар ҳақида маълумот келтирилган. Кучук I даврига оид ушбу қишлоқ типидаги ёдгорликлар 9 тани ташкил этиб, улардан 3 манзилгоҳ тошдан қурилган мудофаа девори билан ўраб олинган. Аниқланган ёдгорликлар бир суғорилиш воҳасида жойлашган бўлиб, Шимолий Бақтриянинг Кучук I даври суғорилиш районлари тўғрисидаги манбаларни бойитишга хизмат қилади.
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Places of the living and places of the dead: the relationship between settlements and burial sites in Central Asia
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The past two decades (and likely even more than that) have witnessed an unprecedented upsurge in rather complex discussions of various ‘-isation’ phenomena, acculturation processes, and migration theories. At the same time, the long-held... more
The past two decades (and likely even more than that) have witnessed an unprecedented upsurge in rather complex discussions of various ‘-isation’ phenomena, acculturation processes, and migration theories. At the same time, the long-held views of concepts of core, periphery, and margins as well as models of interaction within them had come, after closer scrutiny, under attack, but new unifying/rectifying models never emerged. The past realities were simply more complex and complicated than that. Nevertheless, when approaching the complex past from a greater geographic perspective, larger cultural entities do emerge, with their borders, as fuzzy as they may be. It is in these outer buffer zones that physical contact with the “others” happened, and more often than not, it led to mutual influences and transformations. It is precisely these interactions that the present conference would like to target.
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The fourth conference of the Hellenistic Central Asia Research Network (HCARN) will take place at the University of Freiburg, Germany, from 28th–30th May 2020, on the theme of “Entangled Pasts and Presents: Temporal Interactions and... more
The fourth conference of the Hellenistic Central Asia Research Network (HCARN) will take place at the University of Freiburg, Germany, from 28th–30th May 2020, on the theme of “Entangled Pasts and Presents: Temporal Interactions and Knowledge Production in the Study of Hellenistic Central Asia.”
We welcome proposals for 20-minute papers from both established scholars and early career researchers. Abstracts of no more than 300 words, along with the author’s name, title and institutional affiliation, should be submitted to Milinda Hoo and Lauren Morris at hcarn4@gmail.com by no later than 15 November 2019. We anticipate being able to offer some travel funding to participants, on a case by case basis.
** Update: the HCARN conference is now planned to take place from 24-26 March 2022 **
We welcome proposals for 20-minute papers from both established scholars and early career researchers. Abstracts of no more than 300 words, along with the author’s name, title and institutional affiliation, should be submitted to Milinda Hoo and Lauren Morris at hcarn4@gmail.com by no later than 15 November 2019. We anticipate being able to offer some travel funding to participants, on a case by case basis.
** Update: the HCARN conference is now planned to take place from 24-26 March 2022 **
Research Interests:
Currently, southern Uzbekistan belongs to the regions of Central Asia that are – from the point of view of the Hellenistic studies – most intensely archaeologically researched thanks to the effort of the French, Russian, German, Uzbek and... more
Currently, southern Uzbekistan belongs to the regions of Central Asia that are – from the point of view of the Hellenistic studies – most intensely archaeologically researched thanks to the effort of the French, Russian, German, Uzbek and Czech teams working there in last few decades. Consequently, we do not lack the data to work on, on the contrary. What we are lacking, it is a proper evidence-based interpretative framework allowing us to transform the data into knowledge. Scholarship concerned with history and archaeology of Bactro-Sogdian borderlands of the Hellenistic period has always been strongly affected by various peculiar factors and motivations leading to the contradictory explanations of facts (such as attribution of individual cities / towns known from written sources, location of the border between the two geographical units, dating of principal sites). More often than not, argumentum ex silentio has been employed in order to corroborate an initial idea of a scholar. The sources that are largely silent in this case, are rather archaeological ones, while written sources speak too much at times, but are completely mute at other times.
The principal aim of this paper is not find the ultimate answers to the aforemetioned most controversial questions, but to show the most problematic moments in past research and to point out, how chronically they affect even the latest research. Last but not least, let me look for the proper question to the ultimate answer.
The principal aim of this paper is not find the ultimate answers to the aforemetioned most controversial questions, but to show the most problematic moments in past research and to point out, how chronically they affect even the latest research. Last but not least, let me look for the proper question to the ultimate answer.
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The second volume of proceedings of the Third Meeting of the Hellenistic Central Asia Research Network (14th –16th of November 2018, Charles University, Prague). Studia Hercynia monothematic issue. To download the individual articles,... more
The second volume of proceedings of the Third Meeting of the Hellenistic Central Asia Research Network (14th –16th of November 2018, Charles University, Prague). Studia Hercynia monothematic issue.
To download the individual articles, please, see https://studiahercynia.ff.cuni.cz/en/magazin/2021-2/
To download the individual articles, please, see https://studiahercynia.ff.cuni.cz/en/magazin/2021-2/