During International Museum Day 2025, the China-Uzbekistan Joint Archaeological Team held a public archaeology event. Over 40 primary and secondary school students from Uzbekistan and more than 10 undergraduate students from the Department of History of California State University, San Bernardino visited the ancient Chinartepe site, a historic site which had been silent for millennia along the ancient Silk Road. Led by team members, they embarked on a cultural journey through time.
The Chinartepe site is being excavated by the China-Uzbekistan Joint Archaeological Team, formed by the Collaborative Research Centre for Archaeology of the Silk Roads at Northwest University of China and the Samarkand Archaeological Institute of Uzbekistan. At the excavation site, students attentively listened to team members TANG Yunpeng, Dr. Komiljon, and Dr. Bakhodir as they introduced the Chinartepe site. They learned in detail how Chinese and Uzbek archaeologists jointly saved the site from the bulldozer’s blade, and the process and key discoveries made by the team since commencing scientific archaeological surveys and excavations there in 2019. Led by team member CHEN Xinru, the students also entered the excavation area to closely observe the ruins and unearthed artifacts, experiencing the charm of the Silk Road’s glorious history.
TANG Yunpeng explained, “This event is a significant practice in public archaeology by the Collaborative Research Centre for Archaeology of the Silk Roads. As the China-Uzbekistan joint archaeological efforts yield fruitful results, the key to ‘bringing cultural relics to life’ lies in fostering cultural identity.” Students stood atop the rammed-earth wall foundations to feel history firsthand—this immersive education transcends textbook limitations. “Turns out, the Silk Road that connected the world was hidden right along our path home from school,” one primary school student exclaimed excitedly.
