The first-ever use of cutting-edge drone-based lidar in Central Asia allowed archaeologists to capture stunning details of two newly documented trade cities high in the mountains of Uzbekistan.

Archaeologists have mapped two lost Silk Road cities in the mountains of Uzbekistan that were inexplicably abandoned hundreds of years ago.

Scientists were surprised to find a medieval metropolis atop mountains, providing new insights into life along the ancient trade route. “This changes everything we thought we knew.”

The first use of drone-based lidar in Central Asia revealed details of two newly discovered trade cities in the mountains of Uzbekistan.

Archaeologists have mapped two lost cities of the Silk Road in Uzbekistan using drones and LiDAR. The fabled cities had lain buried under mountain pastures for centuries. Light detection and ranging technology (LiDAR) uses laser pulses to detect structures hidden beneath vegetation.

Archeologists have uncovered stunning details of two long-lost medieval cities that once thrived along the ancient Silk Road in Central Asia.