DUSAHNBE, March 14, Asia-Plus  - The University of Central Asia (UCA) and the Institute of History, Archaeology and Ethnography (IHAE), Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan jointly published a new book, “An Archaeological Map of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast: the Western Pamirs” by Dr. Meera Alexseevna Bubnova.

Ms. Sitora Shokamolova, Communication Officer Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Tajikistan, noted that the publication is part of the “Archaeological Map of Tajikistan” series.  The book focuses on the Western Pamirs, which includes six administrative districts: Darvoz, Vanj, Rushan, Shugnan, Roshtqala and Ishkashim.  The map contains information about existing monuments from the Stone Age through the 20th Century, as well as those that are completely destroyed, if any information about them exists.

In general the book presents the results of research on ancient monuments from the 18th Century through 2007. It makes an important scientific contribution to the rich archaeological history for specialists, historians, archaeologists, tour operators, and anyone interested in the history of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (Gorno Badakhshan or GBAO) Oblast, and it is expected to serve as a textbook for students.

A copy of the book can be obtained from the School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) in Khorog and the SPCE Learning Centre in Dushanbe. The book will be available at half price at the book launch. It will be made available for sale in the other outlets.

UCA was founded in 2000 by the Governments of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, and His Highness the Aga Khan.  It is the world’s first internationally chartered institution of higher education. The International Treaty and Charter establishing this secular and private University was signed by His Highness the Aga Khan and the Presidents of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, ratified by the respective parliaments, and registered with the United Nations. UCA is constructing three campuses in Tekeli, Kazakhstan; Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic; and Khorog, Tajikistan, creating Central Asia’s largest and most ambitious constriction project.

The Institute of History, Archaeology and Ethnography was established in 1951, the year that the Academy of Sciences in Soviet Tajikistan was founded. The Institute was created as a multi-profile scientific Institution, working on the problems of the history and culture of the Tajik people from ancient times to the present. The Institute closely collaborates with the Institutes of Archaeology, History and Material Culture, Universal History, Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the State Hermitage (Saint-Petersburg), and international scientific organizations in Germany, France Italy, Japan, China and other countries.

Dr. Bubnova Meera Alexseevna is a leading research officer at IHAE, corresponding member of the Engineering Academy of Tajikistan, and an honorary citizen of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast. Dr. Bubnova started archaeological research in GBAO at the beginning of the 1960s. Under her leadership, 20 expeditions were conducted in the Western Pamirs beginning in 1962. During this time, supplementary research was undertaken about known ancient monuments and new research began on fortified settlements, countryside farmsteads, temples of fire, Buddhist monasteries, mines and metalworking settlements, ancient excavations, and calendar systems. Dr Bubnova published over 100 scientific and popular-scientific papers, including textbooks for schools and universities devoted to the protection of natural and cultural places in the Roshtqala and Ishkashim districts of GBAO.