Lost for centuries, Silk Road cities are revealed by drone technology

Drones have uncovered two long-lost medieval cities in southeastern Uzbekistan, Tashbulak and Tugunbulak, along the ancient Silk Road, challenging previous assumptions about the trade route’s extent. Led by Michael Frachetti, the team used LiDAR technology to reveal the urban centers’ intricate structures, including watchtowers, fortresses, and plazas, at an elevation of 7,000 feet above sea level. Radiocarbon dating suggests the cities declined in the 11th century due to political unrest and over-exploitation of resources, shedding light on the complexity of upland urban landscapes along the Silk Road.

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