Ilibalyk

Welcome to Central Asia Excavations, a collaborative initiative bringing together researchers, specialists, and partners from around the world who share an interest in the archaeology of Central Asia. Our work is grounded in careful field investigation, thoughtful analysis, and a commitment to making the past more accessible and understandable. While we engage broadly with the region’s rich and complex history, we place particular emphasis on exploring how archaeological evidence can contribute to a clearer understanding of the history of the Church of the East and its presence across Central Asia.

At the center of our current efforts is Ilibalyk, an active and ongoing archaeological project in southeast Kazakhstan. The site offers a promising opportunity to study settlement patterns, material culture, and burial practices within a historically dynamic region shaped by trade, migration, and cultural exchange. Through continued excavation and research, we aim to better understand the communities that lived there and the wider historical networks they were part of.

CA Excavations is not only about uncovering the past, but also about building connections in the present. By bringing together expertise from different disciplines and cultural backgrounds, we seek to foster collaboration, share knowledge, and contribute responsibly to the study and preservation of Central Asia’s archaeological heritage.

To learn more about the ancient city of Ilibalyk, see the Wikipedia article to which we contribute.