Tracing herding strategies in the Samarkand Oasis: isotopic and proteomic insights from Kafir Kala (Samarkand, Uzbekistan)

The archaeological complex of Kafir Kala is one of the most important sites in the Samarkand oasis, strategically located just a few miles from the main city and along the major junction of the Silk Road. After more than twenty years of systematic archaeological investigation, the importance of Kafir Kala as a nodal point within the broader Eurasian connection network was recognised by its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023 as part of the Silk Roads. During both the Pre-Islamic (second half of the 7th – early 8th century AD) and the Islamic (early 8th – 12th century AD) phases, ovicaprids were the predominant species in the faunal record. To date, stable isotope analysis from Uzbek archaeological sites is very limited, with no data available for fauna. Similarly, despite the region’s historical role in mobility and exchange, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr analysis has been applied in only a few archaeological contexts. Here, we present the results of a multi-proxy study including proteomic (Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry - ZooMS) and isotope (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O) analyses on twenty ovicaprid teeth from the Islamic phase of Kafir Kala to gain insights into the management strategies of the most represented species in the local faunal record. The identification of at least two different breeding strategies – marked by clear differences between sheep and goats – together with evidence of contacts with foreign groups, is consistent with enduring local traditions and further highlights the dynamic role of Kafir Kala at the crossroads of the ancient Silk Road trade networks.