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SOME REMARKS ON THE RESULTS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH ON
ANCIENT POPULATION STRUCTURES IN THE LOWER AMU DARYA
ECONOMIC-GEOGRAPHICAL REGION
Abdalov Umidbek Matniyazovich
Ph.D. Associate Professor of Mamun University
Annotation:
The article outlines the history of archaeological studies on the burial structures of
the ancient inhabitants of the South Aral Bay region.
Keywords:
Lower Amu Daria, Sarikamish, Davdan, Kalaliqir-1, Quyqirilangkala.
Introduction
The article examines the history of burial structures used by settled populations on both
the right and left banks of the Amu Darya River, spanning from the end of the 5th century BC to
the 3rd century AD. It analyzes the construction of these burial structures from the Stone Age
through the rise of urbanism, considering the traditions associated with placing the deceased
within them and highlighting the significant technological differences observed over time.
Analysis of literature on the topic.
The geographical landscape of the Khorezm oasis
plain is shaped by the Amu Darya River, which divides the area into right and left bank
territories. This region has been a plain for the past 25 to 10 million years and was formed
through geological processes that occurred up to 500,000 years ago
. The Great Tatis glacier
covered the region from 500,000 to 10,000 years ago, as recorded in archaeological literature
.
By 9,000 BC, the northward movement of the Great Tatys Glacier transformed the
Khorezm region into a plain, which was reflected in the formation of water basins. By 8,000 to
7,000 BC, the rapid flow of the Amu Daria River brought about significant changes in both the
geographical and anthropogenic landscapes. This plain became suitable for human settlement,
allowing people to utilize natural resources for their benefit and carry out their daily activities
.
Archaeological research findings indicate that Neolithic clan communities buried their
deceased on their backs in semi-basement-shaped graves, with their arms positioned alongside
their bodies
. In the Akcha daria basin, the clan communities of Jonbos-4, Jonbos-5, and Tolstov
may have placed their deceased comrades in graves, but researcher A.V. Vinogradov's work does
not reveal information about their religious beliefs
.
Researcher M.A. Itina conducted a study in the South Akcha Daria region, where 74
graves were excavated at the Kukcha-3 site. The deceased were positioned on their sides with
1
Виноградов А.В,, Итина М,А,, Кесь А.С, , Мамедов Е.Д. Палеогеографическая обусловленность расселения
древнего человека в пустынях Средней Азии//Первобытный человек, его материальная культура и
природная среда в плейстоцене и голоцене/. М,, Наука,, 1974,. С. 290-291; Баратов П, Маматкулов М,,
Рафиков А. Ўрта Осиё табиий географияси . Тошкент, «Ўкитувчи» 2002, -С. 283
2
Кабиров Ж, Сагдуллаев А.С. Ўрта Осиё археологияси. Тошкент, 1990, С. 14; Ибрагимов Р.З. Ўрта Осиё
археологияси. Тошкент. 2020. -Б. 13.
3
Кесь А.С. Антропогенное воздействие на формирование аллювиально-дельтовых равнин Амударьи
//Культура и искусстве древнего Хорезма- М,:Наука, 1981. – С. 72-80.
4
Вайнберг Б.И. Памятники Куюсайской культуры /// ТХАЭЭ. Т. XI. ― М.: 1979. – С. 27.
5
Виноградов А.В. Древние охотники и рыболовы Среднеазиатского междуречья. / Тр. ХАЭЭ. М.: 1981.
№.XIII. -С. 176.
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their knees bent, oriented from west to east. The graves featured a semi-circular shape and
included a basement
.
According to archaeological literature, the inhabitants of Yakkaparson-2 in the southern
Akchadarya region, as well as those at the Odaytepa settlement on the left bank of the middle
Amu Darya River, placed their deceased in burial structures that were semi-basement-shaped.
There is evidence to suggest that the bodies may have been cremated
The excavations conducted by the Khorezm expedition at the Kalalykyr-1 monument,
located in the northern part of the Davdon tributary of the Amu Darya in the Sarikamysh basin,
revealed vessels that contained the bones of deceased individuals. These vessels were found
placed on the shelves of the wall in room number 10. Additionally, the excavation study included
rectangular, circular, domed, and square ossuaries made from stone, clay, and pottery, which
were examined in various rooms of the monument
Archaeological excavations at the Kalalikyr monument
As a result of the Khorezm expedition, it was found that among the funerary structures of
the inhabitants of the Kalalykyr-1 monument (left bank region, late 5th - early 4th centuries BC),
burials in ossuaries predominated. According to the information provided by the researchers, in
the 4th-3rd centuries BC, in order to preserve the purity of the soil, our ancestors mastered the art
of making ossuaries from various clays with a high aesthetic taste. The clay ossuaries around the
fortified citadel have distinctive structural features. For example, a statue of a man sitting
reverently on the lid of one ossuary attracts attention. The short beard, mustache, and headdress
depicted on this statue are reminiscent of the customs of the people of Khorezm. The depiction
of a horse in the ossuaries is also a noteworthy find. At the same time, craftsmen gave the
ossuaries a barrel-shaped, cylindrical, or rectangular shape, with a rounded lid and a bird
6
Итина М.А. Раскопки могильника тазабагъябской культуры Кокча-3. // МХЭ. М.: 1961. Вып. 5. -С. 107-129.
7
Итина М.А. Поселение Якке - Парсан-2 (Раскопки 1958 – 1959 гг). МХЭ – М.: “Наука”, 1963. Вып 6. –
С.107-129; Пилипко В.Н. Раскопки в Дейнауском районе Чарджоуской области //АО 1974 – М. “Наука”,
1975. – С. 76-77.
8
С.П. Толстов По древним дельтам Окса и Яксарта. // М.: Изд-во восточной лит-ры. 1962. – C. 116.
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depicted on the top.The Khorezm expedition revealed notable findings regarding the funerary
structures at the Kalalykyr-1 monument, which dates back to the late 5th to early 4th centuries
BC. The predominant burial method observed was in ossuaries. Researchers noted that during
the 4th to 3rd centuries BC, in an effort to maintain soil purity, our ancestors developed the
craftsmanship of creating aesthetically pleasing ossuaries from various clays.
The clay ossuaries found around the fortified citadel exhibit distinct structural
characteristics. One particularly striking piece features a statue of a man sitting reverently on the
lid of the ossuary. The statue is characterized by a short beard, a mustache, and a headdress that
reflect the traditions of the people of Khorezm. Additionally, the depiction of a horse on the
ossuaries is a remarkable find. The craftsmen also created ossuaries in various shapes, including
barrel-shaped, cylindrical, and rectangular, often with a rounded lid topped by the image of a
bird
. Its construction demonstrates a high level of expertise in funerary structures made of clay.
Researcher Gudkova conducted excavations in Tokkala and studied the remains of clay
ossuaries
.
Types of ossuaries found at the Koykirlingalkala and Qal'aliqir monuments.
Kalalikyr-2 is situated 6 km northeast of Kozalikyr, in the northern part of Yassykyr. The
structure features a nearly equilateral triangular shape, with the eastern wall measuring 192
meters and the western wall measuring 202 meters. It has an arched base, and on the northern
side, there is an entrance complex consisting of quadrangles connected to the main gate
. In
front of them stood a wall facing the center of the main complex, which housed a building
9
Кой-Крылган-кала — Памятник культуры древнего Хорезма IV в. до н.э. — IV в. н.э. Труды Хорезмской
археолого-этнографической экспедиции. - М.-Л., Т-V. 1967. —С. 232 рис. 89-90.
10
Гудкова А.В. Ток-кала. // Ташкент: 1964. – С. 5-22.
11
Калалы-гыр 2. Культовый центр в Древнем Хорезме IV-II вв. до н.э. // М.: Вост. лит. 2004. 16 рис. 2/4.
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featuring a circular passage. During the excavation of this structure, fragments of polychrome
wall paintings were discovered.
In the western part of the main complex, there is a circular temple with a diameter of 24
meters, built on a 2-meter-high filled foundation. The temple has openings in its outer walls, an
oval minaret at the entrance, and interior chord walls that create rooms surrounding a central hall
arranged in quadrangles. More than 20 rooms associated with its economic activities and
ceremonial practices have been studied around the temple.
Kalalikyr-2 was destroyed by fire. Excavations at this site unearthed numerous ceramic
vessels produced by local craftsmen, as well as imports. Among these were rhytons and relief
vessels depicting scenes related to the mythology of the Indo-Aryan peoples, including images
such as a camel rider in front of a tree, a duel between a hero and a fantastic beast, and a deer
growing from a tree branch. Additionally, the site yielded terracotta figurines, molds for baking
ceremonial bread, ceramic fragments inscribed primarily in the ancient Khorezmian language,
and remnants of documents related to trade relations
The research methodology was chosen as follows.
Scientific objectivity, historical-chronological interpretation, theoretical-comparative
analysis, discussion, justification, generalization, final conclusion, results of archeology,
geography, anthropology were used.
The analysis and results are explained as follows.
The history of burial structures for our ancestors, spanning from the 9th century BC to the
1st century AD, has been analyzed based on logical conclusions drawn from the theoretical and
comparative study of historical data published by the Khorezm archaeological and ethnographic
expedition.
The research resulted in the following scientific breakthroughs.
- The study summarizes historical data from archaeological literature regarding the
development and improvement of burial structures from the Stone Age to the 1st
century BC.
- During this period, our ancestors, following the Zoroastrian religion, created various
types of ossuaries made from clay, stone, and ceramics. This practice was part of their
belief in keeping the earth clean, as these ossuaries housed the deceased and served as
eternal resting places.
Conclusions and suggestions on the research.
Since the end of the 5th century BC, researchers have noted various differences in burial
practices between those in the Khorezm oasis and adjacent territories to the south. For example,
the graves from the Neolithic, Bronze, and Iron Ages—found in the Shurakhon and Sultan
Uvays mountains, as well as in Pitnak within the Khorezm region and extending to the
southwestern coast of the Aral Sea—have not yet been archaeologically studied.
On the southern border of the Khorezm oasis, north of the middle reaches of the Davdon
River, burial structures from the late 6th century BC were identified at Kalalikyr-1. These
included clay, stone, and ceramic ossuaries. Some of the ossuaries featured slightly protruding
legs, while others were circular with no legs, and a few were designed in the shapes of barrels
and cylinders. This method of placing the bones of the deceased aligns with the Zoroastrian
doctrine of keeping the earth clean.
12
https://bigenc.ru/c/kalaly-gyr-2-345117
(электрон манба).
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During the 4th and 3rd centuries BC, our ancestors living in settlements along the right
bank of the Amu Darya developed the practice of creating ossuaries with the deceased positioned
seated on clay lids. Evidence suggests that these ossuaries continued to be used as burial
structures until the 3rd century AD.
It is crucial to study how our ancestors placed their deceased in burial structures and to
understand how their historical practices influence contemporary society.
We aim to educate modern students about the historical periods during which the burial
structures evolved from simplicity to sophistication.
Furthermore, it is our responsibility to visit the cemeteries where our ancestors and great-
grandfathers are laid to rest and to undertake renovation work as part of our daily activities.
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