University of Otago’s Dr Rebecca Kinaston. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED : University researchers excavate in Uzbekistan

Local school teachers pose with the academics who worked on the site, and an Uzbek flag. : University researchers excavate in Uzbekistan

Academic Ladislav Damasek from Charles University in Prague records the archaeological site on Lungi Tepa, watched by a local boy. : University researchers excavate in Uzbekistan

The team of academics who worked on the site are (from left) Ladislav Damasek, Marketa Smolkova, Robyn Kramer, Dr Rebecca Kinaston and Daniel Pilar. : University researchers excavate in Uzbekistan

A photograph from the site of the excavation of a medieval cemetery in Uzbekistan. : University researchers excavate in Uzbekistan