Bunjikat (archeological site)

The ancient archaeological site of Bunjikat, also named Shahriston, is located near the town of Bunjikat (Bundjikat, Tadjik:Бунчикат), in the Shahristan Pass at the entrance of the Ferghana Valley, in Sughd Province of western Tajikistan, just west of the town of Kairma.[1]

Bunjikat
Kala-i Kachkakha
Bunjikat, Kala-i Kahkaha 1 towards west
Shown within West and Central Asia
Bunjikat (archeological site) (Bactria)
Bunjikat (archeological site) (Tajikistan)
Alternative nameShahriston
LocationTajikistan
Coordinates39°46′12.4″N 68°47′55.6″E
TypeSettlement
Site notes
ConditionRuined

Bunjikat was the former capital city of the Ustrushana between the 6th and 9th Centuries CE.[2] It replaced the older capital of Kurukada. From the 5th to the 7th century CE, Ustushana was part of the territory of the Hephthalites, followed by the Western Turks after 560 CE.[3] The Principality probably retained a certain level of autonomy throughout this period, and was ruled directly by the afshins of the Kavus dynasty.[3]

Ruins

Several large buildings and fortresses are located in Bunjikat, such as Kalai Kahkaha I (a Palace) and Kalai Kahkaha II (a grand building on an elevated terrace), dated from the 6th to 8th century CE.[3]

  • Kalai Kahkaha 1
  • Kalai Kahkaha 2

Works of art

The paintings of Bunjikat are among the most important of Sogdian art.[2]

  • Bunjikat wall painting of goddess Nana, 8th-9th century.[4]
  • Decoration from the Kala-i Kakhkakha site (Shahristan), 7th-8th c CE, National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan
  • Warrior demon, Kalai Kahkaha, early 9th century CE. Hermitage Museum
  • Deity, Kalai Khakaha I, early 9th century CE, Hermitage Museum.[3]
  • Heads of Demons, Kala-i Kahkaha I Palace, Bunjikat, Ustrushana, 8th–9th century CE.[3]
  • Bunjikat, figure with pointed and crescented helmet
  • Fighting figure with bow and spear.

World Heritage Status

This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on November 9, 1999 in the Cultural category.[2]

References
  1. The Site of Ancient Town of Shahristan (Kahkakha)
  2. World Heritage Center: The Criteria for Selection
  3. Dani, Ahmad Hasan; Litvinsky, B. A. History of Civilizations of Central Asia: The crossroads of civilizations, A.D. 250 to 750. UNESCO. p. 259-270. ISBN 978-92-3-103211-0.
  4. "Monumental painting in the palace complex of Bunjikat, the capital of medieval ustrushana 8th - early 9th centuries - ArtRussianBooks.com". www.artrussianbooks.com.
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