Tracing herding strategies in the Samarkand Oasis: isotopic and proteomic insights from Kafir Kala (Samarkand, Uzbekistan)

A multi-proxy study of ovicaprid teeth from the Islamic phase (8th–12th century AD) at Kafir Kala, a UNESCO-listed Silk Road site near Samarkand, Uzbekistan, reveals distinct herding strategies for sheep and goats. Using ZooMS proteomics and stable isotope analysis (87Sr/86Sr, δ13C, δ18O), researchers identified two clear breeding patterns, alongside evidence of foreign contact, underscoring Kafir Kala's role as a dynamic hub in Eurasian trade networks. This is the first application of such isotopic methods to Uzbek faunal remains, providing new insights into ancient pastoral practices along the Silk Roads.

Armaroli, E., Lugli, F., Serrone, E., Demarchi, B., Mazzola, M., Sandron, S., Suyunov, S., Berdimuradov, A., Vonhof, H., Mantellini, S., & Cipriani, A. (2026). Tracing herding strategies in the Samarkand Oasis: isotopic and proteomic insights from Kafir Kala (Samarkand, Uzbekistan). Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 18(7). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-026-02516-3