THE NATURAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL ENVIRONMENT AND STONE AGE SITES OF THE GUZAR DISTRICT, SOUTHERN UZBEKISTAN: THE DISCOVERY OF THE BUTABULAK 1–6 AND CHUCHUKBULAK COMPLEXES

Abstract

This paper presents new data on the Stone Age of the Kashqadarya region in southern Uzbekistan, focusing on recent discoveries in the Guzar district. Fieldwork conducted in 2023–2025 revealed several open-air lithic workshop sites (Butabulak 1–6) and a Neolithic settlement (Chuchukbulak). These sites are located in a favorable natural setting with ancient river terraces and accessible raw material sources. The finds demonstrate the high archaeological potential of the region and provide evidence for cultural continuity from the Late Palaeolithic to the Neolithic. The results contribute to a better understanding of prehistoric human adaptation and settlement patterns in southern Uzbekistan.