Some Considerations On Nomadic Culture In The Middle Zarafshan Oasis

Abstract

This article examines the favorable natural and geographical location of the Middle Zarafshan Oasis, its rich natural resources, and the formation and territorial distribution of ancient nomadic tribes’ culture. In addition, scholarly views on the concept of nomadism, the history of archaeological research conducted in this region, and the results of these studies are analyzed. Based on archaeological materials, the paper also briefly discusses current research trends and recent achievements in the field of archaeology related to the study of nomadic culture in the Middle Zarafshan Oasis. In historical sources, the Middle Zarafshan Oasis is also referred to as “Central Sogdiana.” Owing to its favorable natural conditions, the region was inhabited by humans from the Middle Paleolithic period onward. In subsequent stages of historical development, urban culture emerged in this area, and it became one of the important centers of cultural and economic interaction between agricultural and pastoral communities.