Bunjikat (archeological site)

The ancient archaeological site of Bunjikat (Russian: Бунджикат Tajik: Бунҷикат), also named Shahriston, is located near the town of Bunjikat, 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
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Alternative name	Shahriston
Location	Tajikistan
Coordinates	39°46′13″N 68°47′56″E
Type	Settlement
Site notes
Condition	Ruined

Capital of Ustrushana

Bunjikat was the former capital city of the Principality of Ushrusana 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] Bunjikat maintained its sovereignty until 893 CE.^[4]

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.^[5]
• 
  "Romulus and Remus" scene from Bunjikat.^[6][7]
• 
  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
• 
  God Weshparkar with bow, Kala-i Kakhakakha I, Shahristan palace, Ustrushana, Tajikistan, 8-9th century CE, National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan (RTL 215)
• 
  Cavalry battle scene

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. (January 1996). 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. Baumer, Christoph (18 April 2018). History of Central Asia, The: 4-volume set. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 223. ISBN 978-1-83860-868-2.
5. Dani, Ahmad Hasan; Litvinsky, B. A. (1 January 1996). History of Civilizations of Central Asia: The crossroads of civilizations, A.D. 250 to 750. UNESCO. p. 266. ISBN 978-92-3-103211-0.
6. Dani, Ahmad Hasan; Litvinsky, B. A. (1 January 1996). History of Civilizations of Central Asia: The crossroads of civilizations, A.D. 250 to 750. UNESCO. p. 265. ISBN 978-92-3-103211-0.
7. Laet, Sigfried J. de (1 January 1994). History of Humanity: From the seventh to the sixteenth century. UNESCO. p. 947. ISBN 978-92-3-102813-7.