Conference

Aydogdy Kurbanov: The Origin of the Hephthalites and Development of their State

On The March 7, 2020

10:00 to 18:00
UCL, Institute of Archaeology 31-34 Gordon Square London, UK

In the 5th and 6th centuries CE, the Hephthalites founded a great empire in Central Asia and neighbouring regions.

The 4th – 6th centuries CE is one of the most intricate periods in the history of Central Asia, involving the “Great Movement of Peoples”, a migration of nomadic peoples from Asia to Europe. Across Central Asia, mysterious new peoples appeared: the Chionites, the Kidarites and the Hephthalites, among others. Their origins are still debated. Some scholars suggest that they were a part of a Hunnic confederation, while others propose that each of them had a different origin. Among the new peoples on the historical stage of Central Asia the biggest impact was made by the Hephthalites (also known as White Huns in Byzantine sources).

More information on the UCLCAAL web site


Aydogdy Kurbanov is a historian and archaeologist who specializes in the study of the Prehistoric and Early Medieval Central Asia and a 2019-20 fellow of the Collegium de Lyon.