Journal of Greater Khorasan

Journal of Greater Khorasan

Religious Diversity in Central Asia from the fourth to the eighth centuries A.D in the Light of Archaeological Evidence; Case Study: Christianity

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Institute of Archaeology, University College London
10.22034/jgk.2025.508637.1257
Abstract
Central Asia and its adjacent areas in the Sasanian and early Islamic periods, which corresponds to the 4th to 8th centuries A.D, are generally regarded as important regions to study the diversity and flourishing of various religions in the ancient world. In fact, the recovered archaeological evidence along with some historical sources inform us of a significant religious diversity in this extensive land. Although certain regions of Central Asia, like Sogdiana, were considered parts of the Sasanian Empire territories, such religious diversity cannot be traced in any other region governed or influenced by the Sasanians. Christianity is one of these religions whose prevalence in Central Asia is of high importance as this region was located far from the centers of Christianity in the ancient world. The lack of studies on this subject, especially in the domain of archaeological studies in Iran, makes the research on this topic a necessity, in my opinion. The current paper aims to discuss the factors which contributed to the globalization of Christianity in Central Asia, as well as explain the status of Christians in this region. According to the results of this research, compulsory immigration, economic-political interactions, and the presence of missionaries must have played the most important role in the spreading of Christianity throughout Central Asia. Moreover, it can be inferred that Christianity, along with Zoroastrianism and Buddhism, was a dynamic faith in this region. The probable support of some local rulers of this faith might have also affected its flourishing in Central Asia.
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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 24 December 2025

  • Receive Date 24 February 2025
  • Revise Date 30 April 2025
  • Accept Date 24 December 2025