Seventeen new ~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar analyses reported for ten Tarim Precambrian basement samples from the Kuluketage area,are applied to reconstruct the regional thermo-tectonic history together with previously published data.Eight samples were taken adjacent to the Xingdi and Xinger faults,major structures in the study area,whereas a further two were sampled at some distance from the faults.~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar data from the latter record rapid cooling following a Neoproterozoic magmatic/metamorphic event and mild Paleozoic thermal disturbance.Paleozoic ~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar ages from the study area,as well as from the Central Tianshan and eastern Southern Tianshan suggest two strong deformational periods at ~390 Ma and ~300 Ma.During the older period,argon isotopic systems were reset/disturbed by high temperature related to arc magmatism resulting from subduction of the South Tianshan paleo-oceanic crust,possibly in combination with reactivation of Precambrian faults.The younger period is characterized by widespread late Carboniferous-early Permian intracontinental deformation,which is related to the final amalgamation of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt.Previously published apatite fission track data attest to a long history of post-coIlisional cooling,which is attributed to continued propagation of deformation within the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Seventeen new ~ (40) Ar / ~ (39) Ar analyzes were reported for ten Tarim Precambrian basement samples from the Kuluketage area, are applied to reconstruct the regional thermo-tectonic history together with previously published data. Light samples were taken adjacent to the Xingdi and Xinger faults, major structures in the study area, yet a further two were sampled at some distance from the faults. ~ (40) Ar / ~ (39) Ar data from the latter record rapid cooling following a Neoproterozoic magmatic / metamorphic event and mild Paleozoic thermal disturbance. Valeozoic ~ (40) Ar / ~ (39) Ar ages from the study area, as well as from the Central Tianshan and eastern Southern Tianshan suggest two strong deformational periods at ~ 390 Ma and ~ 300 Ma. older period, argon isotopic systems were reset / disturbed by high temperature related to arc magmatism resulting from subduction of the South Tianshan paleo-oceanic crust, possibly in combination with reactivation of Precambrian faults.The younger period is characteriz ed by widespread late Carboniferous-early Permian intracontinental deformation, which is related to the final amalgamation of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Previously published apatite fission track data attest to a long history of post-coIlisional cooling, which is attributed to continued propagation of deformation within the Central Asian Orogenic Belt.