ARCHITECTURAL AND CULTURAL SYNTHESIS IN ELITE FUNERARY STRUCTURES ALONG THE SILK ROAD IN THE 2ND–1ST CENTURIES BC
Keywords:
2nd–1st centuries BC, Tashkent oasis, elite burials, Silk Road, Hellenistic influence, Chinese influence, nomadic traditions, tumulus, cremation, inhumation, cultural synthesis, archaeological heritage preservation, LiDAR, photogrammetry.Abstract
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the architectural and typological features, funerary practices, and cultural synthesis of elite burials identified in the Tashkent oasis and its surrounding areas during the 2nd–1st centuries BC. Based on archaeological excavation reports, museum collections, and field observations, the study examines the development of earthen tumuli, rectangular burial chambers of Hellenistic type, and underground galleries resembling Chinese funerary architecture of the Han dynasty. The grave goods — including gold and silver ornaments, Chinese bronze mirrors, Hellenistic decorated ceramics, and products of local workshops — reflect the active integration of the region into the trade and cultural network of the Silk Road. The simultaneous application of cremation and inhumation practices indicates the multi-layered and eclectic cultural environment of the period. The article also highlights the urgent need to protect these unique heritage sites from erosion, urbanization, and illegal excavations by implementing digital documentation using LiDAR and photogrammetry, as well as educational programs for local communities
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