An international underwater archaeological expedition on Lake Issyk-Kul has completed its work in Kyrgyzstan. This was the second season of the updated joint expedition project of the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the B. Dzhamgerchinov Institute of History, Archaeology, and Ethnology of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic. Volunteers of the Russian Geographical Society took an active part in the expedition. They have made a significant contribution to achieving new, interesting, and partly unexpected results.
The purpose of the expedition was to study the flooded monuments in the northwestern part of Lake Issyk-Kul. The work was carried out at depths of up to 4 m, which made it possible to involve not only scuba divers but also unqualified divers in the exploration. Some interesting finds were made at depths of 0.5-2 m.
During the work, the project participants found annular structures made of fired clay which may represent the remains of destroyed tandoors or the bases of production furnaces for melting metal or firing ceramics. Photogrammetry of one of the buildings made of fired bricks was also carried out. The location of another building, which was previously known, was more precisely determined. Both objects are tentatively dated to the 13th-15th centuries. One of the discoveries of this season was the cultural layer of the monument, perfectly preserved underwater in some areas.
Underwater archaeological finds. Photos of the expedition participants
The results of the study suggest that a major seismic disaster occurred in the region at the end of the Middle Ages. It led to the sinking of large areas of land and their flooding by the waters of the lake. Many of the bricks found at the bottom bear traces of re-firing which may indicate a powerful fire. It probably happened on the territory of the settlement before the flooding.
Members of the Youth Club of the Russian Geographical Society in Kyrgyzstan came to visit the expedition. Young geographers got acquainted with the research area, the territory of the camp, saw special equipment and finds, learned about the peculiarities of the work of archaeologists underwater.
Working underwater. Photos of the expedition participants
Currently, the study of the finds and the materials obtained is continuing. A joint analysis of the data with paleoseismologists, geologists, and limnologists will make it possible to clarify the date and scale of the natural disaster that occurred at the beginning of the second half of the 2nd millennium AD.
In autumn, when the results of the field work have been collected and processed, the RGS Media Studio will present a report on the expedition. The project participants promised to pay special attention to the plans for the next season. For information about the date of the event, follow the calendar of the Moscow RGS Lecture Hall.