Sanjar-Shah Excavations 2022

Michael Shenkar, Sharof Kurbanov, Abdurahmon Pulotov and Firuz Aminov

with an Appendix by Maria Gervais

This season the excavations were continued in Area VI where we completed the investigations of the pottery kiln first excavated in 2019. However, our main efforts were concentrated on the Palace situated in the western part of the site (Areas VII-VIII) expanding the area to the southwest. We have investigated five rooms (12-17) that were probably part of the huge, rectangular Throne Room of the Palace (Figs. 1-4). Fourteen fragments of wall painting were uncovered in the fill of Rooms 12, 13 and 15. They were excavated by the restorer specialist from the State Hermitage Museum, Maria Gervais assisted by Manuchehr Rahimov from the National Museum of Antiquities, Dushanbe.

Area VI

Limited investigations were conducted in this area in order to complete the excavations of the pottery kiln, which was partly excavated in 2019 (Fig. 5). It is located in Room 11 at a distance of 1.9 m to the west, and 2.3 m to the south from the limits of the excavated area. The kiln is attached to Walls 10 and 13. It is round, 2.1 m diameter inside, 2.8 m. outside. The opening is from the east, air openings are made in the floor, and outside on the north-eastern side, there is an opening for ventilation. In 2019 we were unable to find the furnace. Initially, we assumed that the furnace opening was located in Room 12. This room is very small and has no passage. The access to Room 12 was probably by ladder.

In 2019, a floor level was found at the depth of 1.05 m from the surface of Wall 10. In order to find the furnace we excavated below the floor and at the depth of 40 cm there was layer of gravel. At the depth of 20 cm from the floor level, a coin of a Kushan king Vasudeva was found (Fig. 23). It seems that it was brought here together with the soil from another place. The furnace was found in the north-western part of the kiln, at a distance of 1.7 m to the north from the southern side of the opening of the upper part. The opening of the furnace is of oval shape (50 x 50 cm) (Fig. 6). Its surface bears traces of intense burning. The floor of the furnace is 40 cm lower than the floor of Room 11.

Area VIII

Room 12

This room (2.5 x 10.5 m) is situated to the south of Room 2, to the east of Rooms 13 and 15, and to the north of Room 17 (excavations not yet completed). It is a rectangular corridor aligned on the north-south axis (Fig. 7). Wall 11a (h. 88 cm from the sufa level; w. 110 cm) is constructed of pakhsa blocks (90-110 x 110 x ? cm). Wall 11a is attached to Wall 11. Wall

11a has a bonding with Wall 16 and has no bonding with Wall 19. In the southern direction, Wall 11a was excavated for 11.6 m, and it continues further south. A layer of plaster (2.5-3 cm) is preserved on the wall.

Wall 16 (h. 80 cm from the sufa level; w. 124 cm) is also built of the pakhsa blocks of the same dimensions. Similarly, a layer of plaster (1.5-2.5 cm) is preserved in some places on the wall surface.

Wall 15 (h. 1.5 m from the floor level; w. 185 cm) is constructed differently. Up for the height of 70-75 cm, it is built of seven rows of mud-brick (51-52 х 24-25 х 8-9 cm). The wall’s surface is irregular. At some places, bricks project from the wall for 1-3 cm or are submerged into it. Above it, the wall is built of pakhsa blocks (165-120 х ? х185 cm). Wall 15 stands on the floor of the first period. It is attached to Wall 19 and has a bond with Wall 14.

There are no traces of plaster on the surface of the wall.

Wall 19 (h. 147 cm from the floor; w. 110 cm) is constructed of the pakhsa blocks (120 х 110 х ? and 50 х 110 х ?). It is attached to Wall 11a and continues to the west forming the southern wall of Rooms 14 and 15. This wall was not plastered.

A sufa (h. 70 cm; w. 110 cm in the southern part and 120 in the northern) was constructed along Wall 11a. It is constructed of mud-brick (51-52 х 24-25 х 9-10 cm) and plastered (2-3 cm).

The floor surface in the room is solid, slightly declining towards the west, and shows traces of fire. Importantly, it goes under Wall 15, and thus this wall was constructed in the later period on the early floor.

The fill in the room consists of rammed earth and stones of various dimensions. Two fragments of wall paintings (P1 an P2) were found in the room. The finds include a fragment of an onyx bead from the topsoil (Fig. 25.5), and two objects made of bone from the fill (Fig. 24.1-2). One of them is perhaps a sumak.^{^[1]}

Room 13

This room (15.6 x 2.4 m) is located to the south of Room 2, to the west of Room 12, and to the north of Room 15 (Fig. 8). It is a rectangular room arranged on the west-east axis. In this room in Wall 16 at a distance of 135 cm from Wall 11a, there is a blocked passage (w. 185 cm) to the north (Fig. 9). This passage is wider than other passages investigated so far in the Palace. The passage is blocked with mud-brick (51-53 х 24-26 х 8-9 cm).

Along Wall 16 there is a sufa (l. 8.47 m; w. 120 cm) with a central projection (l. 2.72 m) for 55 cm from the line of the sufa. It is made of mud-brick (51-52 х 24-26 х 9 cm). The western end of the sufa corresponds to the eastern side of the blocked passage. This sufa has a bond with the sufa built along Wall 11a.

Wall 12 (h. 150 cm; w. 140 cm) is built of pakhsa blocks (90-110 х 110 cm). It the northern part, it seems that the wall is blocked with mud-brick (51-52 х 24-26 х 8-9 cm). The surface of this addition is irregular. Its lower part projects from the wall for some 10 cm. It is possible that originally, there was a niche in this place that was later blocked.

At the distance of 140 cm from Wall 16, there is a sufa (w. 145 cm; h. 60 cm) along Wall 12. This season it was excavated for the length of 110 cm. At the distance of 115 cm from Wall 16 in the northern end of the sufa, there is a step (h. 30 cm; w. 30 cm; l. 37 cm) (Fig. 10).

Wall 14 (l. 10.87 cm; w. 183 cm) is constructed using the same method as Wall 15. The floor in the room is relatively smooth, slightly degrading in the central part. At some places, there are traces of fire that destroyed the Palace at the end of the first period. It is worth noting that like in Room 12, also here the floor goes beyond Wall 14.

Ten fragments of wall paintings (P4-6, 8, 10-14) were found in the fill between Wall 14 and the projection of the sufa. Other finds in the room that come from the topsoil and the fill include a stone bead (Fig. 25.6), two fragments of rim of glass vessels (Figs. 26.2-3), fragment of a bottom of a glass vessel (Fig. 26.4).

Room 14

This rectangular room is situated to the south of Room 13 and to the west of Room 15 (Fig. 11). This season it was only partially excavated (2.4 x 1.9 m) until the sufa level. Wall 12 (h.

90 cm from the sufa level) is constructed of pakhsa blocks (90-110 х 110 х ?).

Wall 19 (h. 90 cm from sufa level; w. 1.5 m) is built of mud-brick (49-50 х 24-25 х 89 cm). It is attached to Wall 12. Wall 13 (h. 90 cm from the sufa level; w. 1.85 m) is made of pakhsa blocks (120 х 120-140 х ? cm). The sufa in the room is built of mud-brick (50 х 25 х

9 cm) and its upper surface is plastered. This layer of plaster connects it with Wall 12.

Room 15

This is a rectangular room (7 x 6.2 m) situated to the south of Room 13, to the east of Room 14 and to the west of Room 12 (Figs. 12-13). This season the floor of the first period was exposed only in the central part of the room. Wall 15 (h. 105 cm; w. 1.85 m) is built of pakhsa blocks (165-120 х 185 x ? cm). It is attached to Wall 19 and has a bond with Wall 14. The wall was not plastered.

Wall 16 (h. 100 cm; w. 183 cm) is constructed using the same building technique. Here too, no plaster was preserved. At a distance of 2.8 m from Wall 13, there is a niche or a beam pocket (30 х 20 x 12 cm) in the wall. In the north-western corner of the room, between Walls 13 and 15, there is another beam pocket (32 x 28 x 8 cm). Wall 13 (h. 80 cm; w. 185 cm) is attached to Wall 19 and made of pakhsa blocks (120 х 120-140 х ? cm). At a distance of 2.52 m from Wall 19, there is a beam pocket (45 x 22 x 20 cm). Wall 19 (h. 85 cm; w. 110 cm) is also built of pakhsa blocks (120 х 110 х ? cm and 50 х 110 х ? cm).

This season the excavations reached the accumulation of stones at the depth of 80-105 cm from the top of the walls (Fig. 14). Such accumulations were identified along Walls 14 and 15 and in the north-western corner. In the central part of the room, our excavations reached the floor of the first period where Fragments 7 and 9 of wall paintings were found.

Room 16

This room was only partially excavated this season for the area of 2.65 x 1.6 m (Fig. 15). It is situated to the south of Room 14. Wall 12 (h. 70 cm) is built of pakhsa blocks (90-110 х 110 х ?) cm. On the inner surface of the wall, there is a layer of plaster (1.5-2 cm). The total length of Wall 12 exposed so far is 17.6 m. It is important to note that this is not the final length, as the wall continues further south. Its final length will be established next season.

Wall 19 (h. 70 cm; w. 1.5 m) is constructed of mud-brick (49-50 х 24-25 х 8-9 cm) and attached to Wall 12. Wall 17 (h. 95 cm) is built of mud-brick (49-51 х 24-26 х 8-9 cm). It is attached to Wall 19 and continues further south.

Room 17

This room situated to the south of Room 12 was excavated for 4.3 x 3.9 m (Fig. 16). Two phases of the later, second period were identified here. At the depth of 75 cm from the daily surface there was an irrigation ditch going from north to south extending beyond the borders of the excavated area in the south. Stones were found in the ditch.

Below the irrigation ditch, walls belonging to the first phase of the second period were found. Wall 19 (h. 70 cm) is built of pakhsa blocks. Wall 11a (h. 80 cm) continues to the south and it was used also in the first period. Wall 18 (h. 45 cm) is built of mud-brick of standard dimensions.

Wall paintings

The “Main throne room” of the palace was originally lavishly decorated with wall paintings. Several large and medium fragments were found in the fill and were excavated and conserved by our restorers (Fig. 17). The paintings were made on a blue and black background. The preserved fragments depict a rhombi design (Fig. 18), a complex and sophisticated floral freeze with the blue flower bud (Fig. 19), a decorative ornament of crenelated antefixes (Fig. 20), and a figurative composition of characters wearing Sogdian priestly garments (Figs 19, 21-22).

Two figures were partially preserved. One of them raises a small, portable fire altar in his hand. Next to him, there is a niche with fragmentary preserved big tongues of flame. Usually, such tongues of flame are part of divine nimbus in Sogdian art, and indeed decorating the main wall above the sufa projection with a large image of a deity inside a painted arch is typical for the wealthy Sogdian houses and palaces. However, it seems that there is not enough space under the arch to accommodate the figure of a deity. It is, therefore, possible that some object, most probably a stationary fire altar like the one on the Molla Kurgan ossuary was depicted under the arch. Depictions of priests are known from ossuaries, but it is the first time they are attested in wall paintings.

The Sanjar-Shah paintings are of the highest artistic quality and are outstanding monuments of Sogdian art. They resemble most closely the paintings from the Shahristan palace, which comes as no surprise, since the plan of the Sanjar-Shah palace itself and fragments of carved wood from Sanjar-Shah recovered in 2021 are very close to those from Shahristan. The results of our excavations will allow suggesting a date of 740s for the construction of the Shahristan palace, which was debated and controversial for over 50 years.

Conclusions and further prospects

It appears that Walls 11a, 12 and 16 belong to the first building period and are in fact part of a huge, rectangular hall, most probably the Main Throne Room of the palace. Its width in the north is 15.6 m. The length of Wall 12 excavated this season is 17.6 m and it continues in the southern direction. The final length of the Main Throne Room will be established next season. In the second period, additional Walls (13-15, 17-19) divided the throne room into smaller rooms, similar to what was done with the Large Square Hall to the east. Especially enigmatic is Room 15, where no passage was found so far. Still in the second period, but at a later date, the building went out of use and the surface was used for agriculture.

Next season we will continue the excavations of the Palace in order to establish the plan and the exact dimensions of what was probably the Main Throne Room of the SanjarShah palace. The fragments of wall paintings excavated this season will undergo cleaning and restoration process. We hope that next season will bring new finds of the monuments of Sogdian art and possibly evidence about its original owner.

Figures

Fig. 1. Sanjar-Shah, general plan of the excavated areas, 2022. By Elena Bouklaeva.

Fig. 2. Sanjar-Shah 2022, Areas VII-VIII, by Elena Bouklaeva.

Fig. 3. Sanjar-Shah 2022, Area VIII, by Elena Bouklaeva.

Fig. 4. Sanjar-Shah 2022, general view of the Palace (Areas VII-VIII) looking east.

Fig. 5. Sanjar-Shah 2022, Area VI, by Elena Bouklaeva.

Fig. 6. Area VI, Room 11. Opening of the pottery kiln furnace.

Fig. 7. Area VIII, Room 12 looking north.

Fig. 8. Area VIII, Room 13 looking west.

Fig. 9. Area VIII, Room 13. Blocked passage in Wall 16.

Fig. 10. Area VIII, the western part of Room 13.

Fig. 11. Area VIII, Room 14 looking north.

Fig. 12. Area VIII, Room 15 looking south.

Fig. 13. Area VIII, Room 15 looking east.

Fig. 14. Area VIII, Room 15, accumulation of stones in the northwestern corner.

Fig. 15. Area VIII, Room 16 looking south.

Fig. 16. Area VIII, Room 17 looking north.

Fig. 17. Area VIII, Room 13. Distribution of fragments of wall paintings, by Maria Gervais and Elena Bouklaeva.

Fig. 18. Area VIII, Room 12. Fragment of wall paintings (P1) depicting a lozenge pattern

Fig. 19. Area VIII, Room 13. Fragment of wall paintings (P3) depicting a floral freeze and an upper part of a fire altar.

Fig. 20. Area VIII, Room 15. Fragment of wall paintings (P7) depicting an ornament of crenelated antefixes.

Fig. 21. Area VIII, Room 15. Fragment of wall paintings (P4) depicting a partially preserved character in a priestly garment.

Fig. 22. Area VIII, Room 15. Fragment of wall paintings (P6) depicting a rosette and tongues of flames.

Fig. 23. Area VI, a coin of Kushan king Vasudeva.

Fig. 24. Area VIII, Room 12, bone objects from the fill. 1) sumak (?); 2) fragment of an unidentified bone object.

Fig. 25. Area VIII, Bronze, stone and gypsum objects.

1) fragment of a bronze discus, probably a coin (surface find); 2-4) gypsum spindles

(topsoil); 5) fragment of an onyx bead (Room 12, topsoil); stone bead (Room 13, fill).

Fig. 26. Area VIII, Glass vessels.

1) fragment of rim and mug handle (fill to the west of Wall 12); 2) fragment of the rim of a glass vessel with a rim roller (Room 13, topsoil); 3) fragment of the rim of a glass vessel (Room 13, topsoil); 4) fragment of the bottom of a glass vessel (Room 13, fill).

Ceramic Plates

Pl. 1. Area VIII, topsoil.

1) Archaeologically complete bowl with red slip on both sides, 7-8^th centuries; 2, 4-5, 7).

Rims of bowls. Red slip on both sides, 7-8^th centuries; 3, 6, 8). Rims of bowls; 9-10)

Bottoms of bowls, red slip inside, 8^th century; 11-12) Rim and handles of a table jug; 13)

Rim and handles of a pot, early 8^th century; 14-15) Rims of jugs, dark brown slip on both sides of the rim; 16) Rim of a pot, pink slip on both sides of the rim; 17-18) Rims of pots; 19) Rim of a Vessel.

Pl. 2. Area VIII, Rooms 12-13

1-4) Rims of bowls, red slip on both sides; 5) Rim of a bowl; 6-9) Rims of bowls, red slip on both sides, late 7-8^th centuries; 10) Archaeologically complete bowl, red slip on both sides.

Pl. 3. Area VIII, Rooms 12-13.

1) Rim of a jug, brown slip on both sides, 6^th-7^th centuries; 2, 4) Rims of jugs, red slip outside; 3) Rim of a vessel, red slip outside; 5-7) Rims of jugs, red slip on both sides; 8) Lower part of a bowl, red slip on both sides; 9) Upper part of a table jug, red slip on both sides, 8^th century; 10) Fragment of a vessel with a handle with hole; 11) Rim of a small storage jar, red slip on the rim; 12-14) Rims of cooking pots.

Pl. 4. Area VIII, Room 15.

1) Bottom of a cup-shaped bowl, red slip inside, 5th-6th centuries (?); 2) Archaeologically complete bowl, red slip on both sides; 3-5) Rim of a bowl, red slip on both sides, 5th-6th centuries; 6) Fragment of a bowl, dark red slip on both sides; 7) Rim of a mug, dark brown slip on both sides; 8) Rim and handles of a tableware jug, late 7-8^th century; 9) Rim and handles of a tableware jug, late 7-8^th century; 10) Upper part of a table jug, dark red slip on both sides; 11) Table jug handle, painted with frame slip; 12) Rim of a jar; 13-14) Rims of pots, pink slip at the top of the rim; 15) Rim and handle of a wide-necked vessel; 16) Rims of pots, red slip on both sides.

Pl. 5. Area VIII, Room 15.

1) Rim of a pot, 8^th century; 2) Rim of a wide-necked vessel, Late 7-8^th centuries; 3) Rim of a wide-necked vessel, Black slip inside and over the rim; 4) Bottom of a miniature jug, cut with a knife, 8^th century; 5) Miniature pot, red slip on both sides on the upper part. The lower part is cut with a knife, 8^th century; 6) Wall and handle of a table jug, Red slip on top of the handle; 7) Rim of a storage jar; 8-11) Rims of cooking pots, 8^th century; 12) Spindle.

Pl. 6. Area VIII, Fill of Room 17.

1) Bottom of a bowl, red slip on both sides; 2) Wall and handle of a jug, pink slip; 3-5) Rims of pots, brown slip outside of the rim is a brown slip; 6) Rim of a storage vessel, gray slip on the rim on both sides.

Pl. 7. Area VIII, western side of Wall 12.

1) Rim of a wide-necked vessel with a hole under the rim. There is an ornament of waves, 8^th century; 2) Rim of a cooking pot, Late 8^th- early 9^th century; 3) Rim of a cooking pot, beige slip on both sides, late 8^th– early 9^th century; 4) Rim of a cooking pot, beige slip on both sides, late 8^thcentury; 5-6) Rims of cooking pots, brown slip on both sides; 7-8) Rims of cooking pots, late 8^thcentury.

Pl. 8. Area VIII, western side of Wall 12.

1, 3) Wheel-made sieves; 2) Bowl-shaped and wheel-made colander on а hand-made leg, red slip on both sides; 4. Archaeologically complete bowl-shaped and hand-made colander, red slip on both sides, 8^th century; 5) Rim of a hand-made bowl with a wavy rim, outside red slip, late 7^th -8^th century; 6) Brazier.

Pl. 9. Area VIII, western side of Wall 12.

1) Gypsum bowl (?) on three legs, from the inside there is a thin layer of secondary gypsum coating; 2-3) Parts of gypsum bowls (?), a thin layer of secondary gypsum coating inside.

[1] This is an external catheter traditionally used for babies in cradle and made of wood.

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	Sanjar-Shah Excavations 2022 Michael Shenkar, Sharof Kurbanov, Abdurahmon Pulotov and Firuz Aminov with an Appendix by Maria Gervais This season the excavations were continued in Area VI where we completed the investigations of the pottery kiln first excavated in 2019. However, our main efforts were concentrated on the Palace situated in the western part of the site (Areas VII-VIII) expanding the area to the southwest. We have investigated five rooms (12-17) that were probably part of the huge, rectangular Throne Room of the Palace (Figs. 1-4). Fourteen fragments of wall painting were uncovered in the fill of Rooms 12, 13 and 15. They were excavated by the restorer specialist from the State Hermitage Museum, Maria Gervais assisted by Manuchehr Rahimov from the National Museum of Antiquities, Dushanbe. Area VI Limited investigations were conducted in this area in order to complete the excavations of the pottery kiln, which was partly excavated in 2019 (Fig. 5). It is located in Room 11 at a distance of 1.9 m to the west, and 2.3 m to the south from the limits of the excavated area. The kiln is attached to Walls 10 and 13. It is round, 2.1 m diameter inside, 2.8 m. outside. The opening is from the east, air openings are made in the floor, and outside on the north-eastern side, there is an opening for ventilation. In 2019 we were unable to find the furnace. Initially, we assumed that the furnace opening was located in Room 12. This room is very small and has no passage. The access to Room 12 was probably by ladder. In 2019, a floor level was found at the depth of 1.05 m from the surface of Wall 10. In order to find the furnace we excavated below the floor and at the depth of 40 cm there was layer of gravel. At the depth of 20 cm from the floor level, a coin of a Kushan king Vasudeva was found (Fig. 23). It seems that it was brought here together with the soil from another place. The furnace was found in the north-western part of the kiln, at a distance of 1.7 m to the north from the southern side of the opening of the upper part. The opening of the furnace is of oval shape (50 x 50 cm) (Fig. 6). Its surface bears traces of intense burning. The floor of the furnace is 40 cm lower than the floor of Room 11. Area VIII Room 12 This room (2.5 x 10.5 m) is situated to the south of Room 2, to the east of Rooms 13 and 15, and to the north of Room 17 (excavations not yet completed). It is a rectangular corridor aligned on the north-south axis (Fig. 7). Wall 11a (h. 88 cm from the sufa level; w. 110 cm) is constructed of pakhsa blocks (90-110 x 110 x ? cm). Wall 11a is attached to Wall 11. Wall 11a has a bonding with Wall 16 and has no bonding with Wall 19. In the southern direction, Wall 11a was excavated for 11.6 m, and it continues further south. A layer of plaster (2.5-3 cm) is preserved on the wall. Wall 16 (h. 80 cm from the sufa level; w. 124 cm) is also built of the pakhsa blocks of the same dimensions. Similarly, a layer of plaster (1.5-2.5 cm) is preserved in some places on the wall surface. Wall 15 (h. 1.5 m from the floor level; w. 185 cm) is constructed differently. Up for the height of 70-75 cm, it is built of seven rows of mud-brick (51-52 х 24-25 х 8-9 cm). The wall’s surface is irregular. At some places, bricks project from the wall for 1-3 cm or are submerged into it. Above it, the wall is built of pakhsa blocks (165-120 х ? х185 cm). Wall 15 stands on the floor of the first period. It is attached to Wall 19 and has a bond with Wall 14. There are no traces of plaster on the surface of the wall. Wall 19 (h. 147 cm from the floor; w. 110 cm) is constructed of the pakhsa blocks (120 х 110 х ? and 50 х 110 х ?). It is attached to Wall 11a and continues to the west forming the southern wall of Rooms 14 and 15. This wall was not plastered. A sufa (h. 70 cm; w. 110 cm in the southern part and 120 in the northern) was constructed along Wall 11a. It is constructed of mud-brick (51-52 х 24-25 х 9-10 cm) and plastered (2-3 cm). The floor surface in the room is solid, slightly declining towards the west, and shows traces of fire. Importantly, it goes under Wall 15, and thus this wall was constructed in the later period on the early floor. The fill in the room consists of rammed earth and stones of various dimensions. Two fragments of wall paintings (P1 an P2) were found in the room. The finds include a fragment of an onyx bead from the topsoil (Fig. 25.5), and two objects made of bone from the fill (Fig. 24.1-2). One of them is perhaps a sumak.^{^[1]} Room 13 This room (15.6 x 2.4 m) is located to the south of Room 2, to the west of Room 12, and to the north of Room 15 (Fig. 8). It is a rectangular room arranged on the west-east axis. In this room in Wall 16 at a distance of 135 cm from Wall 11a, there is a blocked passage (w. 185 cm) to the north (Fig. 9). This passage is wider than other passages investigated so far in the Palace. The passage is blocked with mud-brick (51-53 х 24-26 х 8-9 cm). Along Wall 16 there is a sufa (l. 8.47 m; w. 120 cm) with a central projection (l. 2.72 m) for 55 cm from the line of the sufa. It is made of mud-brick (51-52 х 24-26 х 9 cm). The western end of the sufa corresponds to the eastern side of the blocked passage. This sufa has a bond with the sufa built along Wall 11a. Wall 12 (h. 150 cm; w. 140 cm) is built of pakhsa blocks (90-110 х 110 cm). It the northern part, it seems that the wall is blocked with mud-brick (51-52 х 24-26 х 8-9 cm). The surface of this addition is irregular. Its lower part projects from the wall for some 10 cm. It is possible that originally, there was a niche in this place that was later blocked. At the distance of 140 cm from Wall 16, there is a sufa (w. 145 cm; h. 60 cm) along Wall 12. This season it was excavated for the length of 110 cm. At the distance of 115 cm from Wall 16 in the northern end of the sufa, there is a step (h. 30 cm; w. 30 cm; l. 37 cm) (Fig. 10). Wall 14 (l. 10.87 cm; w. 183 cm) is constructed using the same method as Wall 15. The floor in the room is relatively smooth, slightly degrading in the central part. At some places, there are traces of fire that destroyed the Palace at the end of the first period. It is worth noting that like in Room 12, also here the floor goes beyond Wall 14. Ten fragments of wall paintings (P4-6, 8, 10-14) were found in the fill between Wall 14 and the projection of the sufa. Other finds in the room that come from the topsoil and the fill include a stone bead (Fig. 25.6), two fragments of rim of glass vessels (Figs. 26.2-3), fragment of a bottom of a glass vessel (Fig. 26.4). Room 14 This rectangular room is situated to the south of Room 13 and to the west of Room 15 (Fig. 11). This season it was only partially excavated (2.4 x 1.9 m) until the sufa level. Wall 12 (h. 90 cm from the sufa level) is constructed of pakhsa blocks (90-110 х 110 х ?). Wall 19 (h. 90 cm from sufa level; w. 1.5 m) is built of mud-brick (49-50 х 24-25 х 89 cm). It is attached to Wall 12. Wall 13 (h. 90 cm from the sufa level; w. 1.85 m) is made of pakhsa blocks (120 х 120-140 х ? cm). The sufa in the room is built of mud-brick (50 х 25 х 9 cm) and its upper surface is plastered. This layer of plaster connects it with Wall 12. Room 15 This is a rectangular room (7 x 6.2 m) situated to the south of Room 13, to the east of Room 14 and to the west of Room 12 (Figs. 12-13). This season the floor of the first period was exposed only in the central part of the room. Wall 15 (h. 105 cm; w. 1.85 m) is built of pakhsa blocks (165-120 х 185 x ? cm). It is attached to Wall 19 and has a bond with Wall 14. The wall was not plastered. Wall 16 (h. 100 cm; w. 183 cm) is constructed using the same building technique. Here too, no plaster was preserved. At a distance of 2.8 m from Wall 13, there is a niche or a beam pocket (30 х 20 x 12 cm) in the wall. In the north-western corner of the room, between Walls 13 and 15, there is another beam pocket (32 x 28 x 8 cm). Wall 13 (h. 80 cm; w. 185 cm) is attached to Wall 19 and made of pakhsa blocks (120 х 120-140 х ? cm). At a distance of 2.52 m from Wall 19, there is a beam pocket (45 x 22 x 20 cm). Wall 19 (h. 85 cm; w. 110 cm) is also built of pakhsa blocks (120 х 110 х ? cm and 50 х 110 х ? cm). This season the excavations reached the accumulation of stones at the depth of 80-105 cm from the top of the walls (Fig. 14). Such accumulations were identified along Walls 14 and 15 and in the north-western corner. In the central part of the room, our excavations reached the floor of the first period where Fragments 7 and 9 of wall paintings were found. Room 16 This room was only partially excavated this season for the area of 2.65 x 1.6 m (Fig. 15). It is situated to the south of Room 14. Wall 12 (h. 70 cm) is built of pakhsa blocks (90-110 х 110 х ?) cm. On the inner surface of the wall, there is a layer of plaster (1.5-2 cm). The total length of Wall 12 exposed so far is 17.6 m. It is important to note that this is not the final length, as the wall continues further south. Its final length will be established next season. Wall 19 (h. 70 cm; w. 1.5 m) is constructed of mud-brick (49-50 х 24-25 х 8-9 cm) and attached to Wall 12. Wall 17 (h. 95 cm) is built of mud-brick (49-51 х 24-26 х 8-9 cm). It is attached to Wall 19 and continues further south. Room 17 This room situated to the south of Room 12 was excavated for 4.3 x 3.9 m (Fig. 16). Two phases of the later, second period were identified here. At the depth of 75 cm from the daily surface there was an irrigation ditch going from north to south extending beyond the borders of the excavated area in the south. Stones were found in the ditch. Below the irrigation ditch, walls belonging to the first phase of the second period were found. Wall 19 (h. 70 cm) is built of pakhsa blocks. Wall 11a (h. 80 cm) continues to the south and it was used also in the first period. Wall 18 (h. 45 cm) is built of mud-brick of standard dimensions. Wall paintings The “Main throne room” of the palace was originally lavishly decorated with wall paintings. Several large and medium fragments were found in the fill and were excavated and conserved by our restorers (Fig. 17). The paintings were made on a blue and black background. The preserved fragments depict a rhombi design (Fig. 18), a complex and sophisticated floral freeze with the blue flower bud (Fig. 19), a decorative ornament of crenelated antefixes (Fig. 20), and a figurative composition of characters wearing Sogdian priestly garments (Figs 19, 21-22). Two figures were partially preserved. One of them raises a small, portable fire altar in his hand. Next to him, there is a niche with fragmentary preserved big tongues of flame. Usually, such tongues of flame are part of divine nimbus in Sogdian art, and indeed decorating the main wall above the sufa projection with a large image of a deity inside a painted arch is typical for the wealthy Sogdian houses and palaces. However, it seems that there is not enough space under the arch to accommodate the figure of a deity. It is, therefore, possible that some object, most probably a stationary fire altar like the one on the Molla Kurgan ossuary was depicted under the arch. Depictions of priests are known from ossuaries, but it is the first time they are attested in wall paintings. The Sanjar-Shah paintings are of the highest artistic quality and are outstanding monuments of Sogdian art. They resemble most closely the paintings from the Shahristan palace, which comes as no surprise, since the plan of the Sanjar-Shah palace itself and fragments of carved wood from Sanjar-Shah recovered in 2021 are very close to those from Shahristan. The results of our excavations will allow suggesting a date of 740s for the construction of the Shahristan palace, which was debated and controversial for over 50 years. Conclusions and further prospects It appears that Walls 11a, 12 and 16 belong to the first building period and are in fact part of a huge, rectangular hall, most probably the Main Throne Room of the palace. Its width in the north is 15.6 m. The length of Wall 12 excavated this season is 17.6 m and it continues in the southern direction. The final length of the Main Throne Room will be established next season. In the second period, additional Walls (13-15, 17-19) divided the throne room into smaller rooms, similar to what was done with the Large Square Hall to the east. Especially enigmatic is Room 15, where no passage was found so far. Still in the second period, but at a later date, the building went out of use and the surface was used for agriculture. Next season we will continue the excavations of the Palace in order to establish the plan and the exact dimensions of what was probably the Main Throne Room of the SanjarShah palace. The fragments of wall paintings excavated this season will undergo cleaning and restoration process. We hope that next season will bring new finds of the monuments of Sogdian art and possibly evidence about its original owner. Figures Fig. 1. Sanjar-Shah, general plan of the excavated areas, 2022. By Elena Bouklaeva. Fig. 2. Sanjar-Shah 2022, Areas VII-VIII, by Elena Bouklaeva. Fig. 3. Sanjar-Shah 2022, Area VIII, by Elena Bouklaeva. Fig. 4. Sanjar-Shah 2022, general view of the Palace (Areas VII-VIII) looking east. Fig. 5. Sanjar-Shah 2022, Area VI, by Elena Bouklaeva. Fig. 6. Area VI, Room 11. Opening of the pottery kiln furnace. Fig. 7. Area VIII, Room 12 looking north. Fig. 8. Area VIII, Room 13 looking west. Fig. 9. Area VIII, Room 13. Blocked passage in Wall 16. Fig. 10. Area VIII, the western part of Room 13. Fig. 11. Area VIII, Room 14 looking north. Fig. 12. Area VIII, Room 15 looking south. Fig. 13. Area VIII, Room 15 looking east. Fig. 14. Area VIII, Room 15, accumulation of stones in the northwestern corner. Fig. 15. Area VIII, Room 16 looking south. Fig. 16. Area VIII, Room 17 looking north. Fig. 17. Area VIII, Room 13. Distribution of fragments of wall paintings, by Maria Gervais and Elena Bouklaeva. Fig. 18. Area VIII, Room 12. Fragment of wall paintings (P1) depicting a lozenge pattern Fig. 19. Area VIII, Room 13. Fragment of wall paintings (P3) depicting a floral freeze and an upper part of a fire altar. Fig. 20. Area VIII, Room 15. Fragment of wall paintings (P7) depicting an ornament of crenelated antefixes. Fig. 21. Area VIII, Room 15. Fragment of wall paintings (P4) depicting a partially preserved character in a priestly garment. Fig. 22. Area VIII, Room 15. Fragment of wall paintings (P6) depicting a rosette and tongues of flames. Fig. 23. Area VI, a coin of Kushan king Vasudeva. Fig. 24. Area VIII, Room 12, bone objects from the fill. 1) sumak (?); 2) fragment of an unidentified bone object. Fig. 25. Area VIII, Bronze, stone and gypsum objects. 1) fragment of a bronze discus, probably a coin (surface find); 2-4) gypsum spindles (topsoil); 5) fragment of an onyx bead (Room 12, topsoil); stone bead (Room 13, fill). Fig. 26. Area VIII, Glass vessels. 1) fragment of rim and mug handle (fill to the west of Wall 12); 2) fragment of the rim of a glass vessel with a rim roller (Room 13, topsoil); 3) fragment of the rim of a glass vessel (Room 13, topsoil); 4) fragment of the bottom of a glass vessel (Room 13, fill). Ceramic Plates Pl. 1. Area VIII, topsoil. 1) Archaeologically complete bowl with red slip on both sides, 7-8^th centuries; 2, 4-5, 7). Rims of bowls. Red slip on both sides, 7-8^th centuries; 3, 6, 8). Rims of bowls; 9-10) Bottoms of bowls, red slip inside, 8^th century; 11-12) Rim and handles of a table jug; 13) Rim and handles of a pot, early 8^th century; 14-15) Rims of jugs, dark brown slip on both sides of the rim; 16) Rim of a pot, pink slip on both sides of the rim; 17-18) Rims of pots; 19) Rim of a Vessel. Pl. 2. Area VIII, Rooms 12-13 1-4) Rims of bowls, red slip on both sides; 5) Rim of a bowl; 6-9) Rims of bowls, red slip on both sides, late 7-8^th centuries; 10) Archaeologically complete bowl, red slip on both sides. Pl. 3. Area VIII, Rooms 12-13. 1) Rim of a jug, brown slip on both sides, 6^th-7^th centuries; 2, 4) Rims of jugs, red slip outside; 3) Rim of a vessel, red slip outside; 5-7) Rims of jugs, red slip on both sides; 8) Lower part of a bowl, red slip on both sides; 9) Upper part of a table jug, red slip on both sides, 8^th century; 10) Fragment of a vessel with a handle with hole; 11) Rim of a small storage jar, red slip on the rim; 12-14) Rims of cooking pots. Pl. 4. Area VIII, Room 15. 1) Bottom of a cup-shaped bowl, red slip inside, 5th-6th centuries (?); 2) Archaeologically complete bowl, red slip on both sides; 3-5) Rim of a bowl, red slip on both sides, 5th-6th centuries; 6) Fragment of a bowl, dark red slip on both sides; 7) Rim of a mug, dark brown slip on both sides; 8) Rim and handles of a tableware jug, late 7-8^th century; 9) Rim and handles of a tableware jug, late 7-8^th century; 10) Upper part of a table jug, dark red slip on both sides; 11) Table jug handle, painted with frame slip; 12) Rim of a jar; 13-14) Rims of pots, pink slip at the top of the rim; 15) Rim and handle of a wide-necked vessel; 16) Rims of pots, red slip on both sides. Pl. 5. Area VIII, Room 15. 1) Rim of a pot, 8^th century; 2) Rim of a wide-necked vessel, Late 7-8^th centuries; 3) Rim of a wide-necked vessel, Black slip inside and over the rim; 4) Bottom of a miniature jug, cut with a knife, 8^th century; 5) Miniature pot, red slip on both sides on the upper part. The lower part is cut with a knife, 8^th century; 6) Wall and handle of a table jug, Red slip on top of the handle; 7) Rim of a storage jar; 8-11) Rims of cooking pots, 8^th century; 12) Spindle. Pl. 6. Area VIII, Fill of Room 17. 1) Bottom of a bowl, red slip on both sides; 2) Wall and handle of a jug, pink slip; 3-5) Rims of pots, brown slip outside of the rim is a brown slip; 6) Rim of a storage vessel, gray slip on the rim on both sides. Pl. 7. Area VIII, western side of Wall 12. 1) Rim of a wide-necked vessel with a hole under the rim. There is an ornament of waves, 8^th century; 2) Rim of a cooking pot, Late 8^th- early 9^th century; 3) Rim of a cooking pot, beige slip on both sides, late 8^th– early 9^th century; 4) Rim of a cooking pot, beige slip on both sides, late 8^thcentury; 5-6) Rims of cooking pots, brown slip on both sides; 7-8) Rims of cooking pots, late 8^thcentury. Pl. 8. Area VIII, western side of Wall 12. 1, 3) Wheel-made sieves; 2) Bowl-shaped and wheel-made colander on а hand-made leg, red slip on both sides; 4. Archaeologically complete bowl-shaped and hand-made colander, red slip on both sides, 8^th century; 5) Rim of a hand-made bowl with a wavy rim, outside red slip, late 7^th -8^th century; 6) Brazier. Pl. 9. Area VIII, western side of Wall 12. 1) Gypsum bowl (?) on three legs, from the inside there is a thin layer of secondary gypsum coating; 2-3) Parts of gypsum bowls (?), a thin layer of secondary gypsum coating inside. [1] This is an external catheter traditionally used for babies in cradle and made of wood. \| copyright by The Society for the Exploration of EurAsia\| E-mail \| Home \|