Adrian Popescu

The article presents 35 non-local coins discovered during archaeological excavations at the Taraz settlement. The chronological range of the finds spans from the 1st to the 19th century AD and includes Byzantine imitations, Bukharkhudat dirhams, and Chinese coins of the Han, Tang, Northern Song, and Qing dynasties. The study contributes to the reconstruction of the region’s international connections based on numismatic evidence. The research methodology combines the results of large-scale archaeological excavations conducted between 2014 and 2017, typological classification of the coins, and comparative historical-geographical analysis. It is generally accepted that foreign coins did not participate in local monetary circulation; rather, they were most likely used as a store of value, a commodity, and may also reflect the movement of people. Among the principal results of the study are the detailed publication of a bracteate imitating the obverse of a solidus of Emperor Anastasius, an imitation combining the obverses of the solidi of the Byzantine emperors Phocas and Heraclius, three Bukharkhudat dirhams, and Chinese coins, including a hoard of 22 Qing dynasty coins dating to the mid-19th century. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate the necessity of an interdisciplinary approach to numismatic material in the study of the political, economic, and cultural history of Central Asia. The analysis confirms the role of Taraz as a major trade and political centre that facilitated interaction between nomadic and sedentary cultures along trans-Eurasian routes.

Synthetic media generation and manipulation have seen rapid ad- vancements in recent years, making it increasingly easy to create multimedia content that is indistinguishable to the human observer. Moreover, generated content can be used maliciously by individ- uals and organizations in order to spread disinformation, posing a significant threat to society and democracy. Hence, there is an urgent need for AI tools geared towards facilitating a timely and ef- fective media verification process. The MAD'24 workshop seeks to bring together people with diverse backgrounds who are dedicated to combating disinformation in multimedia through the means of AI, by fostering an environment for exploring innovative ideas and sharing experiences. The research areas of interest encompass the identification of manipulated or generated content, along with the investigation of the dissemination of disinformation and its societal repercussions. Recognizing the significance of multimedia, the workshop emphasizes the joint analysis of various modalities within content, as verification can be improved by aggregating multiple forms of content.