Palaeolithic settlement in arid zones (kyzylkum desert, Uzbekistan): preliminary results of the mafac research project in 2024

Hoshimov , Hikmatulla, Brunet , Frederik

O‘zbekiston arxeologiyasi (Археология Узбекистана) · 2026-yil

Annotatsiya

This article presents the preliminary results of geoarchaeological investigations conducted in 2023–2024 by the international MAFAC expedition in the Ayakagitma Lake region of the Kyzylkum Desert, Uzbekistan. The research implemented an integrated program of geoarchaeological studies in the vicinity of Lake Ayakagitma, located within the former lower Zаravshan Valley, Bukhara Region, Uzbekistan. The research aimed to document and analyze the technological and cultural traditions of the Middle and Upper Paleolithic in an arid zone context, and to reconstruct the Pleistocene paleoenvironment through a multidisciplinary approach. Systematic pedestrian surveys and geomorphological assessments resulted in the identification of 138 previously undocumented archaeological sites, of which 119 are attributed to the Middle Paleolithic. Particular emphasis was placed on the Ayakagitma-7 locality, where stratified cultural deposits exceeding 2.4 m in thickness yielded 1,222 lithic artifacts and 313 ceramic sherds. Preliminary techno-typological analysis indicates a predominance of the Levallois reduction strategy, multiple occupational phases, and technological traits suggestive of a possible transitional phase toward the Upper Paleolithic. The geomorphological dataset reveals exceptional stratigraphic preservation and substantial potential for high-resolution paleoenvironmental reconstruction and refined chronostratigraphic modeling. These findings significantly enhance current knowledge of Paleolithic occupation dynamics in the Kyzylkum desert region and contribute to broader discussions on human adaptations in arid landscapes of Central Asia

Maqola ma’lumotlari
MualliflarHoshimov , Hikmatulla, Brunet , Frederik
JurnalO‘zbekiston arxeologiyasi (Археология Узбекистана)
NashriyotАрхеология институти
ISSN2022-2026
Nashr sanasi2026-03-30
Jild34
Son1
Betlar81-91
TilIngliz
Ilmiy sohaTarix
DOI10.71414/2181-032x-2026-34-1-81-91
Indeksga qo‘shilgan2026-09-09

DOI: 10.71414/2181-032x-2026-34-1-81-91 · Maqolaning asl sahifasi

Kalit so‘zlar

Кызылкум, палеолит, плейстоцен, геоархеология, Аякагитма-7, каменная индустрия, левауллуа, Центральная Азия, адаптация, заселения, Kyzylkum, paleolithic, pleistocene, geoarchaeology, Ayakagitma-7, lithic industry, Levallois, Central Asia, adaptation, occupation, Qizilqum, paleolit, pleystotsen, geoarxeologiya, Oyoqog’itma-7, tosh qurollar, Markaziy Osiyo, moslashuv, makonlashuv

Ilmiy soha

Tarix

Iqtibos keltirish

APAHoshimov , Hikmatulla, & Brunet , Frederik (2026). PALAEOLITHIC SETTLEMENT IN ARID ZONES (KYZYLKUM DESERT, UZBEKISTAN): PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THE MAFAC RESEARCH PROJECT IN 2024. O‘zbekiston arxeologiyasi (Археология Узбекистана), 34(1), 81-91. https://doi.org/10.71414/2181-032x-2026-34-1-81-91
GOST (OAK)Hoshimov , Hikmatulla, Brunet , Frederik PALAEOLITHIC SETTLEMENT IN ARID ZONES (KYZYLKUM DESERT, UZBEKISTAN): PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THE MAFAC RESEARCH PROJECT IN 2024 // O‘zbekiston arxeologiyasi (Археология Узбекистана). – 2026. – T. 34, № 1. – P. 81-91. – DOI: 10.71414/2181-032x-2026-34-1-81-91.
MLAHoshimov , Hikmatulla, and Brunet , Frederik. “PALAEOLITHIC SETTLEMENT IN ARID ZONES (KYZYLKUM DESERT, UZBEKISTAN): PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THE MAFAC RESEARCH PROJECT IN 2024.” O‘zbekiston arxeologiyasi (Археология Узбекистана), 34(1), 81-91, 2026. https://doi.org/10.71414/2181-032x-2026-34-1-81-91
ChicagoHoshimov , Hikmatulla, and Brunet , Frederik. “PALAEOLITHIC SETTLEMENT IN ARID ZONES (KYZYLKUM DESERT, UZBEKISTAN): PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THE MAFAC RESEARCH PROJECT IN 2024.” O‘zbekiston arxeologiyasi (Археология Узбекистана), 34(1), 81-91 (2026). https://doi.org/10.71414/2181-032x-2026-34-1-81-91
HarvardHoshimov , Hikmatulla, and Brunet , Frederik (2026) ‘PALAEOLITHIC SETTLEMENT IN ARID ZONES (KYZYLKUM DESERT, UZBEKISTAN): PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THE MAFAC RESEARCH PROJECT IN 2024’, O‘zbekiston arxeologiyasi (Археология Узбекистана), 34(1), 81-91. https://doi.org/10.71414/2181-032x-2026-34-1-81-91
BibTeX
@article{hoshimovhikmatulla2026,
  title = {PALAEOLITHIC SETTLEMENT IN ARID ZONES (KYZYLKUM DESERT, UZBEKISTAN): PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THE MAFAC RESEARCH PROJECT IN 2024},
  author = {Hoshimov , Hikmatulla and Brunet , Frederik},
  journal = {O‘zbekiston arxeologiyasi (Археология Узбекистана)},
  year = {2026},
  volume = {34},
  number = {1},
  pages = {81-91},
  doi = {10.71414/2181-032x-2026-34-1-81-91},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.71414/2181-032x-2026-34-1-81-91}
}

Boshqa maqola uchun iqtibos tayyorlash

O‘zbekiston arxeologiyasi (Археология Узбекистана) jurnalidan boshqa maqolalar

O‘zbekiston arxeologiyasi (Археология Узбекистана) — barcha maqolalar · 2026-yil arxivi

Tarix sohasidagi boshqa maqolalar

Tarix sohasidagi OAK jurnallari