THE ROLE OF Y.A. ZUEV IN THE STUDY OF THE ETHNOGENESIS AND ETHNIC HISTORY OF THE USUN TRIBES

Abstract

This article examines the ethnic history of the Usun by prominent Kazakh historian Y.A. Zuev. He explores the origins, ethnic composition, and cultural characteristics of the ancient Usun, relying on Chinese and other ancient historical sources. The author pays special attention to the socio-economic structure of Usun society, their interactions with neighboring peoples, and their impact on historical processes in Central Asia. This study, based on a comparison of archaeological findings and written sources, allows for a deeper understanding of the Usun’s role in Central Asian history. Y.A. Zuev also investigates the complex relationships between the Usun, the Kangju, the Huns, and ancient China, analyzing their diplomatic and military connections and how these affected the political situation in Central Asia and neighboring regions. He reconstructs historical events and political alliances in the region, drawing on Chinese chronicles and archaeological research