Archaeologists have found two ancient cities in the mountains of Uzbekistan that were important stops along the Silk Road, dating back to the 6th to 11th centuries AD. These cities, Tugunbulak and Tashbulak, are located about three miles apart, at elevations between 6,560 and 7,220 feet above sea level. Tugunbulak was the larger of the two, covering around 300 acres and possibly housing tens of thousands of people, making it one of the largest cities in Central Asia at that time. It was likely a major steel production center. Tashbulak, smaller with a population in the thousands, is known for its large cemetery, which has early Islamic burials, showing the spread of Islam in the area. Researchers used lidar, a laser mapping tool, to discover the cities’ roads, structures, and fortifications, making it easier to explore the rough landscape. Excavations at Tugunbulak uncovered kilns and furnaces for steel production, while Tashbulak’s cemetery suggests it had cultural or religious significance. These findings show that important centers of power existed beyond famous cities like Samarkand.