Destruction of Medieval Archaeological Monuments by Strong Earthquakes in the Southwestern Issyk-Kul Basin, Tien Shan

Abstract

The destruction of a major archaeological site in the 7th–9th centuries clearly demonstrates a lack of seismic knowledge of the region and, as a result, the neglected and underestimated seismic hazard assessment in the Alabash-Konur-Oleng Depression region near the southern border of the Issyk-Kul basin on the map of the Kyrgyz Republic. The aim of the field studies was to assess the consequences of a seismic event, to identify damage to the integrity of archaeological structures, and to estimate the strength of an earthquake in a given region. To search for archaeological sites, aerial photography of the site along the Akterek River was carried out—from the coast to the elevation of the Duvana Mountains. Field studies in the southern Issyk-Kul basin and the Alabash-Konur-Oleng Depression led to the discovery of an ancient destroyed complex on the southern slope of the Duvana Mountains. This structure, located on a seismotectonic scarp, was destroyed by it and absorbed by a seismotectonic graben. Most likely, a strong (I0 ≥ 9) earthquake occurred during the complex’s existence, the 7th–9th centuries (?). There are other archaeological sites of various age in the Alabash-Konuroleng depression, bearing traces of the strongest seismic impacts, the study of which can help extend the seismic catalog for centuries and contribute to a more accurate seismic hazard assessment of the area of currently rising uplifts—the Adyrs (foothills) of the Terskey Ala-Too Range.