The discovery was announced by the Cultural Heritage Agency, which said the excavation is being carried out by researchers from the Yahyo Gulomov Samarkand Institute of Archaeology. The excavation team includes Amriddin Berdimuradov, Khusniddin Rakhmonov and Nigora Makhkamova.
During the excavation, researchers revealed the architectural layout of a palace complex located within the site's citadel – the fortified inner section of the ancient settlement. The structure has been dated to the first half of the 8th century.
According to specialists, the building's architectural features provide valuable evidence for studying early medieval urban planning, architecture and systems of state administration.
Archaeologists also discovered 8th-century sculptures in the palace's main hall. The artifacts are currently being examined by specialists.
The Cultural Heritage Agency said the findings could lead to new conclusions about the political and cultural life of Mingtepa and offer a deeper understanding of the region's historical development during the early medieval period.
