Niya (Tarim Basin)

The ruins of Niya (simplified Chinese: 尼雅遗址; traditional Chinese: 尼雅遺址; pinyin: Níyǎ Yízhǐ), is an archaeological site located about 115 km (71 mi) north of modern Minfeng Town (also called Niya) on the southern edge of the Tarim Basin in modern-day Xinjiang, China. The ancient site was known in its native language as Caḍ́ota, and in Chinese during the Han Dynasty as Jingjue (Chinese: 精絕; pinyin: Jīngjué). Numerous ancient archaeological artifacts have been uncovered at the site.

Niya was once a major commercial center on an oasis on the southern branch of the Silk Road in the southern Taklamakan Desert. During ancient times camel caravans would cut through, carrying goods from China to Central Asia.

History

In Hanshu, an independent oasis state called Jingjue, generally thought to be Niya, is mentioned:

Niya became part of Loulan Kingdom by the third century. Towards the end of the fourth century it was under Chinese suzerainty, later it was conquered by Tibet.

Excavations