Change and Continuity in the Samarkand Oasis: Evidence for the Islamic Conquest from the Citadel of Kafir Kala

A significant archaeological discovery at the Citadel of Kafir Kala, Samarkand, reveals profound insights into the Islamic conquest of the early 8th century CE. The excavation, led by the Italo-Uzbek Archaeological Expedition since 2001, uncovered 500 clay sealings, underscoring Kafir Kala's pivotal role in Silk Road trade. Stratigraphic analysis and architectural transformations indicate a sudden abandonment following a fire at the end of the 7th century CE, followed by resettlement for centuries. This unique site provides unprecedented evidence for changes and continuities in daily life and material culture during the Arab conquest, offering a nuanced understanding of this pivotal historical transition.

Mantellini, S., Di Cugno, S., Dimartino, R., & Berdimuradov, A. E. (2016). Change and Continuity in the Samarkand Oasis: Evidence for the Islamic Conquest from the Citadel of Kafir Kala. Journal of Inner Asian Art and Archaeology, 7, 227–253. https://doi.org/10.1484/j.jiaaa.4.2017012