A team of archaeologists has unearthed evidence about life in Central Asia 4000 years ago, revealing how a sudden climate change transformed the region and shaped the civilizations we know today. The site of Djarkutan, located in southeastern Uzbekistan, has provided vital clues about how a dramatic drought may have driven migrations and crucial economic changes in the Bronze Age.

Amid the arid landscape of Central Asia, Djarkutan was a hub of agricultural and commercial activity. From 4100 to 3700 years before the present, this settlement flourished with a sophisticated agricultural economy that combined barley and wheat crops, imported from Western Asia, with common millet and foxtail millet, originating from Eastern Asia. This exchange of agricultural products not only reflects the cultural diversity of the region but also shows the complexity of its trade networks.

According to the palynological and stable isotope records analyzed by the researchers, around 3900 years ago, Djarkutan experienced an abrupt and severe drought. This extreme climate event had a devastating impact on the local agricultural system, endangering the subsistence of its inhabitants. However, this adversity also triggered a series of migrations that would change the face of the region forever.

Central Asian civilizations before and after the drought event
Central Asian civilizations before and after the drought event. Credit: Guanhan Chen et al.

Because the drought not only affected Djarkutan but also prompted the movement of populations from the northern steppes to Central Asia. These migrants brought with them new agro-pastoral practices and technologies, transforming the local economy and fostering the development of a more complex and diverse society. This constant flow of people and knowledge turned Central Asia into a crucible of innovation and adaptation.

Central Asia has always been a bridge between the great civilizations of Eurasia. From the northern steppes to the Indus Valley and the mountainous interior corridor of Asia, this region has witnessed intense cultural and commercial exchanges. The discoveries in Djarkutan underline the importance of these exchanges in the development of complex and sophisticated civilizations.

As archaeologists continue to investigate the cultural remains of Djarkutan, more is expected to be uncovered about the interactions between local environmental changes and early agricultural activities. The site of Djarkutan evidences that climate change, migration, and cultural exchange played crucial roles in the formation of civilizations.

SOURCES

Guanhan Chen, Xinying Zhou, et al., Oasis civilization collapse under 3.9 ka climate event in Bactria, Central Asia. Quaternary Science Reviews, Volume 337, 1 August 2024, 108793. doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.108793

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