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UO’K
94(575.171):325.1’’04/14’’
SOME INSIGHTS INTO THE HISTORY OF IRRIGATION NETWORKS IN THE
NATURAL AND ECONOMIC REGION OF THE KHOREZM OASIS
Babajanova Nilufar Alisherovna
Teacher, Department of History,
Urganch State University
Annotatsiya:
Maqolada Quyi Amudaryo xududida mil.avv. VI-Vasrlarda sug‘orilish inshootlari
rivojlanish bosqichlari bosqichlari yoritilgan.
Kalit so‘zlar
:Vinogradov A.V, Yagodin V.N,
Andrianov B.V, Tolstov S.P, Itina M.A,
Dandamaev M.A, Lukonin V.G, Sobirov Q, Vorob’eva M.G. Qoraqum, Qizilqum, Bozorqal’a,
Ding‘ilja, Kaltaminor, Tozabog‘yob, Amirobod.
Аннотация:
В стате анализирован этапы развитие сооружения VI-V вв до н. е. на
территории Низовя Амудари.
Ключевые слова:
Сабиров К, Каракум, Кызылкум, Базаркала, Дингилдже, Тазабагйап,
Амирабад .
Annotation:
The article covers the stages of development of irrigation structures in the Lower
Amu Darya region in the 6
th
-4
th
centuries BC.
Key words:
Vinogradov A.V, Yagodin V.N,
Andrianov B.V, Tolstov S.P, Itina M.A,
Dandamaev M.A, Lukonin V.G, Sabirov Q, Vorob’eva M.G. Qaraqum, Qizilqum, Bozorqal’a,
Ding‘ilja, Kaltaminor, Tozabog‘yob, Amirabad.
Introduction.
Around 10,000 years ago, as a result of the retreat of the Great Tethys glaciation
northward due to rising natural temperatures, humid and semi-humid plains were formed.
Around 8,000–7,000 years ago, the Amu Darya River, "wandering" through the Karakum Desert,
flowed northward due to the sloping terrain, dividing into right and left bank regions. This article
aims to highlight the results of our ancestors' efforts to harness the "wandering" nature of the
Amu Darya, directing its flow to utilize the mineral-rich plains over centuries for their benefit.
Literature Review
According to data recorded in the works of the members of the Khorezm Archaeology-
Ethnography Expedition, which conducted scientific activities in the Khorezm Oasis from the
mid-1930s to the 1990s, water bodies dominated the conditions of the Kyzylkum and Karakum
regions until the last quarter of the 6th century BCE. For example, A.V. Vinogradov’s research
notes that the right bank of the Amu Darya, the lower Zarafshon, the inner Zarafshon region, and
the lower Syr Darya basin plains had a high water supply from the Amu Darya and Zarafshon
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rivers, causing the depressions in the Kyzylkum alluvial sand dunes to turn into water basins
V.N. Yagodin focused on the history of irrigation in the Khorezm Oasis, emphasizing the
development of water supply systems on the right and left banks of the Amu Darya, evolving
from simple networks to more advanced systems by the 6th century BCE
.
B.V. Andrianov, in studying the hydrological characteristics of the humid and semi-humid
plains of the right bank of the Amu Darya—the southern Aqchadarya basin, covering 160,000
hectares (between Shurakhon and the Sultan Uvays Mountains)—during the 6th–5th centuries
BCE, noted the remains of an irrigation network in the northern area of the Bozorqala monument.
This network, sourced from the Aqchadarya tributary, had a length of 1.5–2 meters and a width
of 60–70 meters
.
Figure 1.
1
Vinogradov A.V. Neolithic Monuments of Khorezm – M.: Nauka, 1968. Issue 8, pp. 5-20.
Same author. Ancient Hunters and Fishermen of the Central Asian Interfluve // TrKHAEE – M.: Nauka, 1981. Issue XIII, pp. 78-89.
² Yagodin V.N. The Lower Reaches of the Amu Darya During the Collapse of the Primitive Communal System and the Emergence of Early State
Formations // Khorezm in the History of Statehood of Uzbekistan. National Society of Philosophers of Uzbekistan – Tashkent, 2013, pp. 15-22.
³Andrianov B.V. "Ancient Irrigation Systems of the Aral Sea Region" – Moscow: Nauka, 1969. – p. 104.
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Researchers note that the remnants of canals in the southern Aqchadarya
—Kokcha-Janbos
regions, dating to the Bronze Age, served the daily practical activities of our ancestors
.
.
In 545 and 539 BCE, Khorezm was incorporated into the Achaemenid Empire under the rule
of Cyrus II
.
S.P. Tolstov’s research recorded historical data on the activities of the Kaltaminor,
Tozabog‘yab, and Amirobod irrigation structures on the right bank of the Amu Darya, dating to
the mid-8th to 6th centuries BCE
.
. However, it is difficult to agree with the researcher’s view,
as during this chronological period, the population of the Amirobod culture did not possess the
knowledge to construct large-scale main canals. The construction of such irrigation structures
can be associated with the internal policies of a centralized state.
In our view, the development of the right and left bank regions of the Amu Darya, particularly
the construction of irrigation systems on the right bank toward the Kyzylkum, was carried out
during the Achaemenid period. For instance, in the last quarter of the 6th century BCE, the
Kaltaminor irrigation system was constructed from the Amu Darya, beginning to serve the
population. Within the network of branches derived from this irrigation system, the Bozorqala
and Ding‘ilja monuments were established .
⁴ Tolstov S.P., Andrianov B.V. New Materials on the History of Irrigation in Khorezm // KSIE – M.: Nauka, 1957. Issue XXVI, pp. 5-7.
⁵ Itina M.A. Ancient Khorezmian Farmers // History, Archaeology, and Ethnography of Central Asia – M.: Nauka, 1968, pp. 75-86.
⁶ Itina M.A. The History of the Steppe Tribes of the Southern Aral Sea Region // (2nd – Early 1st Millennium BCE) // TrKHAEE – M.: Nauka,
1977, Vol. X, pp. 44-45.
⁷ Dandamaev M.A., Lukonin V.G. Culture and Economy of Ancient Iran – M.: Nauka, 1980, p. 104.
⁸ Dandamaev M.A. Iran Under the First Achaemenids – M.: Nauka, 1963, p. 106.
⁹ Tolstov S.P. Ancient Khorezm – Moscow State University, 1948, p. 46.
¹⁰ Tolstov S.P. In the Footsteps of Ancient Khorezmian Civilization – M.-L., 1948, p. 101.
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Figure 2.
Research Methodology.
- Objectivity, historical-chronological interpretation, theoretical-comparative analysis,
discussion, generalization, logical conclusions, and the achievements of archaeology,
ethnography, and geography were utilized.
Analysis and Results.
The irrigation structures that caused hydrological changes on the surface of the right and left
bank regions of the Amu Darya did not operate in a single chronological period. The process of
constructing irrigation systems from the Amu Darya by the population living in residential areas
on the right bank began much later than in the Sariqamish region.
The history of the development of irrigation structures, which did not emerge simultaneously
from the Amu Darya, was analyzed. For example, the Sariqamish basin was divided into
northern and southern regions.
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Information regarding the history of the Charmanyob main irrigation structure, sourced from
the northern part of the Dovdon tributary, was highlighted. Additionally, data recorded in the
publications of the Khorezm Expedition members regarding the activities of the Kaltaminor and
main irrigation structures in the Norinjon, Bozorqala, and Ding‘ilja monuments, located in the
Shurakhon village area in the 6th century BCE, were subjected to theoretical-comparative
analysis.
The following observations were noted as results.
- The initial activity of the Charmanyob irrigation structure, sourced from the middle
section of the Dovdon tributary of the Amu Darya in the southern border of the
Khorezm region, toward the north;
- After the water supply in the lower basin of the Dovdon tributary increased, the
depressions in the southern region of the Qang‘qa hill elevation continuously turned
into water basins, enabling the local population to utilize the edges of the Tunidaryo
coastal area with a stable water supply;
- The activity of the Kaltaminor irrigation structure in the Shurakhon village area in the
last quarter of the 6th century BCE;
- From the 5th century BCE, conclusions were drawn regarding the activities of the
main irrigation structure sourced from the rocky bed of the Amu Darya.
The following recommendations were noted.
- Studying the history of irrigation structures sourced from the Amu Darya and its Dovdon
tributary in the last quarter of the 6th century BCE to the 5th century BCE from a
practical perspective;
- Explaining the direction of main irrigation structures from the Khorezm region and the
results of their use by our ancestors in the context of the present day;
- Proposing considerations on the significance of the development of the Amu Darya in the
fate of the oasis population.
References:
1. Vinogradov A.V. Neolithic Monuments of Khorezm – M.: Nauka, 1968. Issue 8, pp. 5-20.
2. Same author. Ancient Hunters and Fishermen of the Central Asian Interfluve // TrKHAEE –
M.: Nauka, 1981. Issue XIII, pp. 78-89.
3. Yagodin V.N. The Lower Reaches of the Amu Darya During the Collapse of the Primitive
Communal System and the Emergence of Early State Formations // Khorezm in the History
of Statehood of Uzbekistan. National Society of Philosophers of Uzbekistan – Tashkent,
2013, pp. 15-22.
4. Andrianov B.V. "Ancient Irrigation Systems of the Aral Sea Region" – Moscow: Nauka,
1969. – p. 104.
5. 4 Tolstov S.P., Andrianov B.V. New Materials on the History of Irrigation in Khorezm //
KSIE – M.: Nauka, 1957. Issue XXVI, pp. 5-7.
6. 5 Itina M.A. Ancient Khorezmian Farmers // History, Archaeology, and Ethnography of
Central Asia – M.: Nauka, 1968, pp. 75-86.
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7. 6 Itina M.A. The History of the Steppe Tribes of the Southern Aral Sea Region // (2nd –
Early 1st Millennium BCE) // TrKHAEE – M.: Nauka, 1977, Vol. X, pp. 44-45.
8. 7 Dandamaev M.A., Lukonin V.G. Culture and Economy of Ancient Iran – M.: Nauka,
1980, p. 104.
9. 8. Dandamaev M.A. Iran Under the First Achaemenids – M.: Nauka, 1963, p. 106.
10. 9. Tolstov S.P. Ancient Khorezm – Moscow State University, 1948, p. 46.
11. 10. Tolstov S.P. In the Footsteps of Ancient Khorezmian Civilization – M.-L., 1948, p. 101.
