The First Issue of Central Asian Horizons Is Out
In October 2026, the Central Asian Research Society (CARS) published the inaugural issue of Central Asian Horizons, a new quarterly magazine devoted to the history, archaeology, natural environment, cultures and contemporary life of Central Asia.
This special first issue introduces the Society and looks back at its research activities in 2026, particularly the international expedition to Ravat in south-western Kyrgyzstan. Situated on the southern edge of the Ferghana Valley, Ravat is home to an extensive archaeological landscape containing the remains of ancient settlements, agricultural terraces, irrigation channels and iron-working sites. The area has been the focus of interdisciplinary research involving archaeologists, geologists, environmental scientists and colleagues from several countries.
The magazine offers a chance to see what this work involves, both in the field and beyond it. Alongside accounts of archaeological discoveries and ongoing research, readers will find personal observations, travel experiences, photographs and stories of encounters with local communities.
What’s in the First Issue?
One of the main subjects is the history of iron production at Ravat. In From Ore to Iron: The Secrets of Ravat’s Furnaces, Atilla Vatansever describes the investigation of ancient furnaces and the search for evidence of the technologies and raw materials used by local ironworkers. Closely related to this is Libor Petr’s Charcoal Hidden in the Mountains, which follows a three-day search for abandoned charcoal-burning pits and the unexpected discovery of one that had never been emptied.
The region’s agricultural past is another important theme. In In Search of Ancient Irrigation Channels, Lenka Lisá shares her experiences of investigating the remains of former irrigation systems, while Jozef Chajbullin Koštial offers a broader reflection on hydraulic societies and the importance of water management in Central Asian history.
The issue also looks at the relationship between people and plants. Martina Panero’s article on ethnobotanical research in Ravat examines how local communities use plants for food and medicine, how knowledge is passed between generations and how these practices are changing.
Aleš Bajer takes readers on a journey to Kan-i-Gut, a historic mining complex in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. His account combines the geological and historical significance of the site with the rather less predictable experience of travelling there in an ageing Lada.
There is room for lighter reading, too. Markéta Lisá and Lucie Dušánková introduce the traditional Kyrgyz lepjoška, a type of flatbread baked in a clay oven, and the magazine includes a recipe for anyone who would like to try making it at home. Jozef Chajbullin Koštial contributes a short satirical piece, while Pavel Lisý’s photographic essay, A 15-Hour Shortcut Across the Alay, takes us into the mountains and offers another view of expedition life.
Together, these contributions give readers an impression of the research being carried out at Ravat, but also of the people and everyday experiences behind it.
A Magazine Open to Different Perspectives
Central Asian Horizons will be published four times a year, in Czech and English. Although it is produced by a research society, it is not intended exclusively for an academic audience.
We want to bring together subjects that are often treated separately: archaeology and history, geology and the natural environment, languages, art, traditions, food, travel and contemporary society. The magazine will feature accessible research articles, field reports, interviews, photographic essays, book reviews and news about current projects and publications.
Contributions are welcome from researchers and students, but also from photographers, travellers and anyone who lives in Central Asia, has spent time there or has something worthwhile to share about the region. Academic qualifications are not a requirement. A well-observed account of a journey, a set of photographs or a story about local traditions may be just as valuable to our readers as a report on a new archaeological discovery.
Coming in January 2027: Stories Carved in Stone
The next issue of Central Asian Horizons will be published in January 2027, with a special focus on the rock art of Central Asia.
Across the region, rock surfaces preserve images of animals, hunting scenes, human figures and symbols created over thousands of years. These petroglyphs and paintings provide valuable evidence of past societies, their beliefs and their relationships with the surrounding landscape.
The January issue will introduce readers to some of these sites and to the work being undertaken to document, study and protect them.
We are now accepting contributions for the January issue. The submission deadline is 30 November 2026.
We welcome popular science articles, travel accounts, personal stories, fieldwork reports, photographs, interviews, book reviews and short reports on research or new discoveries. Contributions do not need to concern rock art; other topics related to Central Asia are equally welcome.
Articles and proposals may be submitted in Czech, English or Russian to CARShorizons@archeo.kg. Further information, including guidelines for contributors, is available on the magazine’s website.
Read the October Issue
The special inaugural issue of Central Asian Horizons is freely available to read online, in both Czech and English.
You can find the magazine, along with information about future issues and opportunities to contribute, at:
We hope you enjoy the first issue, and we would be pleased to hear from anyone interested in contributing to the next one.