On Thursday, July 31, 2025, the 57th public lecture titled “The Future of Central Eurasia and Japan” was held. We welcomed Mr. Teramura Hirofumi, Associate Professor at the Research Center for Academic Resources, National Museum of Ethnology, as our guest speaker. He gave a lecture entitled “Archaeological Excavation of the Kafir Kala Site in the Republic of Uzbekistan — The Discovery of a Wooden Panel Related to the Zoroastrian Goddess Nana.”
After earning his PhD from the Graduate School of Okayama University, Mr. Teramura went on to hold positions as a project researcher at the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature and as a research fellow at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies, before assuming his current role. He specializes in cultural informatics and archaeological informatics, and has been actively engaged in archaeological research utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
In this lecture Mr. Teramura introduced the Kafir Kala archaeological site, where he has been involved in excavations since around 2011. He structured his talk into three main parts, focusing on the artifacts unearthed at the site and the methods used to study them.
Kafir Kala is located approximately 10 kilometers southeast of central Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The site, meaning “Fortress of the Infidels,” is composed of the citadel (fortified stronghold), the shahristan (walled city area), and the rabad (suburban district). Three towers have also been identified on either side of the citadel. Until 2019, the excavation project was led by Tezukayama University. Since then, the National Museum of Ethnology has carried out the project in cooperation with the Samarkand Institute of Archaeology, under an academic agreement. Mr. Teramura began his lecture with an overview of the site and its historical context.
— Discovery of the Wood-Carved Panel Painting —
A wooden carved panel was excavated from a room at the center of the citadel (fortified stronghold). The wood had already undergone significant carbonization and was said to be in a very fragile condition. Since it was at risk of disintegrating, chemical agents were used to reinforce it while carefully removing the soil during excavation. As a result, a large wood-carved panel painting measuring approximately 1.3 meters wide by 1.1 meters tall was excavated. At the center of the panel, the Zoroastrian goddess Nana was prominently carved, surrounded by figures offering sacrifices and a musical ensemble holding instruments such as a konghou (a plucked string instrument resembling a harp), a pipa, and trumpets. Mr. Teramura explained the carved images using drawings called “okoshi-zu,” which illustrate the details. Furthermore, in the same room, a structure resembling an altar was also identified, from which jewelry was collected.
Based on findings such as the excavated wooden panel carvings, it was suggested that the Kafir Kala site was likely a retreat palace for the kings of Samarkand, and may also have served a temple-like function. In particular, the discovery of this wood-carved panel is highly significant in that it enabled scholarly discussions on the Sogdians’ religious beliefs based on concrete material evidence. Professor Teramura provided a detailed explanation, emphasizing that the panel is also of great value as a research resource for the study of Zoroastrianism itself.
— Identification of a Room Believed to Be a Food Storage Area —
It is said that carbonized grains, wood, charcoal, and ash were discovered in a room different from the one where the wood-carved panel was excavated. Specifically, in addition to grains such as wheat and millet, walnuts, garlic, and animal bones from sheep and cattle were also found, indicating the presence of numerous food-related items. Additionally, nine to ten large jars were also identified, which are believed to have contained water, oil, and other substances. Based on these artifacts, it was suggested that the room was likely used as a food storage area. Furthermore, traces of fire damage were also observed in the building, and because these remains were carbonized, they have been preserved as artifacts to the present day. Mr. Teramura explained that even when comparing these findings from Kafir Kala with major historical events such as the Battle of Talas, there is no significant contradiction in their interpretation.
— Discovery of a Great Hall —
Excavations conducted since 2013 have uncovered a “Great Hall” located a short distance from the Citadel. Similar to the Citadel, traces of fire damage have been confirmed in this building, but fragments of murals with remaining colors were also found. Based on the internal structure of the Great Hall, the presence of murals, and unearthed coins, it is believed to have been a hall with special significance. Additionally, the time of the fire is estimated to be the early 8th century, the same as the Citadel.
At the end of the lecture, information was shared about a special exhibition to be held at the National Museum of Ethnology. During the Q&A session, questions were raised regarding the use of information technology in current archaeological research and the challenges associated with it. The lecture was attended by many participants and proved to be a highly meaningful and insightful event.
