MADRID, March 10. /Dunyo IA/. Archaeologists have reported the possible discovery of the medieval city of Marsmanda, which was part of the Silk Road network in present-day Uzbekistan, reports Dunyo IA correspondent, citing the Spanish news portal “OkDiario”.

The city’s location had long remained unknown, although historical sources mention Marsmanda as an important center for trade and metallurgy during the Middle Ages. The study, titled “Large-Scale Medieval Urbanization Revealed Using UAV-LiDAR in the High Mountain Regions of Central Asia”, combines drone-based remote laser sensing, terrain analysis and historical text research.

Researchers have identified signs of urban planning typical of fortified Silk Road cities. The arrangement of walls, residential quarters and production areas indicates that the settlement played a significant role in the trade networks connecting East and West.

According to the scientists, the city was situated in a strategically important area and may have been a major center for iron production. This aligns with descriptions of Marsmanda in ancient sources, where it is cited as a notable metallurgical hub.

The use of aerial photography and LiDAR allowed archaeologists to detect hidden underground structures that cannot be seen with the naked eye. These technologies enabled the identification of possible traces of the ancient city.

Experts note that confirming the settlement’s identity could reshape our understanding of the economic and urban organization of the Silk Road. However, full-scale ground archaeological excavations are required for definitive conclusions.