Geoarchaeology in the Semirech’ye Region, Eastern Kazakhstan

Lab members are involved in a long-term project exploring the geoarchaeology and landscape archaeology of pastoral peoples within the Byan-zhuyek Valley. This is part of the larger Dzhungar Mountain Archaeology Project (DMAP) coordinated by Professor Michael Frachetti. Our research focuses on understanding site formation processes and their relation to landscape evolution.

We are especially concerned with exploring the formation, preservation, and archaeological integrity of very small, ephemeral pastoral sites, some of which date to the early to middle Bronze Age. Geoarchaeological research also provides an understanding of settlement contexts and landscape evolution in the Byan-zhuyek Valley, thereby helping situate traditional archaeological understanding of pastoralist utilization of complex, high-energy mountain environments.