The aim of the project is to study the genesis of the Bronze and Early Iron ages in the Semirechie area, and the role of the region as a corridor for circulation of cultures and as an oasis and original nest for production of local cultures. The hypothesis to verify is that Semirechie during the Middle Bronze and Early Iron epochs played an important role in the constitution of the nomadic societies and in their diffusion. Seven teams, two from INTAS states members, five from NIS states, will take part in the project. Organised in two operative groups, one of ecologists and one of archaeologists, they will analyse and excavate three poligons situated in three different habitats (semidesert, foothill steppes, mountain steppes and forest), more or less exposed to the circulation of cultures along the foot-hill corridors between Syrdaria and Dzungaria. On one of these poligons, because the scattered distribution of remains on a big area, aerial and space remote-sensing surveys will be performed with the technical co-operation of the European teams.

The project will last 27 months. Results will be communicated with annual reports and publications. An international conference, enlarged to neighbouring countries concerned by the project as Kirghizia, Russia and China, will be organised at the end of the research project, eventually supported by a Network programme as a further financial help.