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Teikyo University Silk Road Academic Expedition Embarks on 10th Ak-Beshim Site Investigation

On Tuesday, April 18, 2023, the Teikyo University Silk Road Academic Expedition set forth from Narita Airport, embarking on their tenth journey to the Ak-Beshim (Suyab) archaeological site in Kyrgyzstan. Since its inception in April 2016, Teikyo University has been committed to unraveling the intricate tapestry of cultural exchange along the Silk Road—a historic network connecting the East and West. Central to this pursuit, the university formed the Teikyo University Silk Road Academic Expedition, comprising dedicated scholars from the Cultural Heritage Research Institute and the Faculty of Liberal Arts.

The focal point of this academic venture lies in the meticulous excavation of the Ak-Beshim site, a pivotal urban center along the Silk Road. Through this meticulous exploration, the expedition aims to illuminate the lives, histories, and cultures of the inhabitants of that bygone era. Beyond the annals of history, this endeavor extends to the present, delving into the ways in which contemporary residents have harmonized with and thrived within the natural environs of this region. As the team embarks on this latest expedition, a sense of eager anticipation pervades, carrying with it the promise of unearthing fresh insights and revelations at this venerable site.

Kyrgyzstan Republic

Kyrgyzstan Republic is a republic of the former Soviet Union located in Central Asia. More than two-thirds of the country is covered with mountains above 3000 m above sea level, the Tian Shan Mountains extend along the border with China, and the Pamir Plateau extends toward Tajikistan, which is located in the south. From this high mountain and the long and narrow terrain from east to west, people enjoy various climates, scenery and plants.

Ak Besim Ruins

The Ak-Besim site, formerly known as Suyyab, is an extremely rare site in Central Asia where two cities are located next to each other. On the west side of the city (1st Shahristan), which is believed to have been built by the Sogdians, a people who traded on the Silk Road, and on the east side of the city (2nd Shahristan), which was built by the Tang Dynasty in China, is located the "Saiyouzhen Castle" (2nd Shahristan). It is said that Xuanzang, who was on a quest to India, visited "Suiyabu Castle," now called the 1st Shafristan, around 630, and it is also assumed to be the birthplace of Li Bai, a poet of the Tang Dynasty in China.

Click here for details on the Teikyo University Silk Road Academic Research Team

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