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UDK:0:9(58)338:297.930.(584.4)
Ruzmetov Sherzod Kahramanovich
Teacher of history at the Military Academic Lyceum
named after Jalal ad-din Manguberdi.
Tel: (91)-917 33 55
THE PROBLEM OF URBANIZATION PROCESSES IN SOUTHERN KHOREZM AND
THEIR REFLECTION IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL MONUMENTS
Annotation.
In this study, the processes of urbanization in the territory of Southern Khorezm
and their reflection in archaeological monuments are analyzed. In the course of the research, the
formation of socio-economic and ethnocultural relations in rural communities of the Early Iron
Age was studied, and the results of archaeological excavations conducted in this area were
analyzed. In particular, the peculiarities of the settlements and economic sectors of the
Sarykamysh, Amirabad, and Kuyisoy cultures are highlighted.
Keywords:
Southern Khorezm, urbanization, archaeological monuments, early Iron Age, rural
communities, socio-economic relations, ethnocultural processes, agriculture, irrigation system,
migration, crafts, historical development of Khorezm.
Literature analysis.
Research on the urbanization processes in Southern Khorezm and
their reflection in archaeological monuments is based on long-term scientific investigations. In
particular, S.P. Tolstov, in his works "Ancient Khorezm" (1948) and "In the Ancient Deltas of
the Oxus and Jaxartes" (1962), provided valuable information about the formation processes of
early cities, irrigation systems, and ethnic processes in the Khorezm oasis. In his view,
urbanization in Khorezm developed as a result of the advancement of artificial irrigation systems
and the rise of agricultural culture. M.G. Vorobyeva, in her study "Dingilja: Khorezm
Homesteads of the Mid-1st Millennium" (1973), presented significant findings on the residential
architecture and economic activities of rural communities in the Early Iron Age. S.B. Bolelov
studied the development of craftsmanship in Khorezm during the Early Iron Age and highlighted
the stages of its evolution in his work "Ancient Khorezm in the Early Iron Age" (2022). The
research conducted by B.I. Weinberg is associated with the ethnic and cultural changes of
Khorezm. His work "Studies on the Kuyisoy Culture" (1979) shed light on the early urbanization
processes and the impact of migration in this region. Furthermore, as a result of excavations
carried out by O.A. Vishnevskaya and V.N. Pilipko, the Kuzalikyr monument and its defensive
systems were examined. A. Askarov, in his work "Sopollitepa Culture" (2004), analyzed the
formation processes of the early agricultural culture.
The theories and results put forward in these studies allow for a deeper study of urbanization
processes in the Khorezm oasis. Based on the literature used in the article, scientific conclusions
were drawn about the early stages of urbanization of the Khorezm oasis, the formation of rural
communities, and the development of socio-economic processes.
Methodological foundations.
This research was carried out on the basis of a comprehensive
approach to the study of urbanization processes in South Khorezm and their reflection in
archaeological monuments. The following scientific methods were used in the research:
The historical-typological method was used to determine the stages of formation and
development of archaeological monuments, to divide the processes of urbanization into different
periods. With the help of this method, the features of rural communities of the early Iron Age in
the Khorezm oasis were analyzed.
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1. Archaeological research method – based on the study of monuments of material culture
found as a result of excavations carried out in the territory of Khorezm. In particular, the
monuments studied by S.P. Tolstov, M.G. Vorob'yeva, S.B. Bolelov and B.I. Weinberg, their
territorial location, residential architecture and economic sectors were analyzed.
2. Territorial-geographical method – the influence of the climatic conditions, natural
geographical factors and water resources of Khorezm on the urbanization processes was studied.
An attempt was made to determine how the development of irrigation systems and migration
processes affected territorial changes.
3. Comparative analysis method – the urbanization processes in the Khorezm oasis were
studied in comparison with the processes of ancient urban planning in other regions of Central
Asia. In particular, their interconnections with the cultural monuments of Bactria, Sogd,
Margiana and Parthia were analyzed.
4. Stratigraphic method - used to identify and periodize cultural layers found during
excavations. This method sheds light on the stages of urbanization processes in Southern
Khorezm and their chronological development.
5. Cultural-archaeological method - settlements, craft centers, defensive structures, and
farming systems formed as a result of urbanization processes were studied culturally.
Analysis. Urbanization processes in Southern Khorezm are a multifactorial process,
closely related to natural-geographical, economic, and social factors. The formation of ancient
rural communities in this region, the development of socio-economic structures, and the changes
reflected in archaeological monuments are highlighted through the following analyses:
1. Natural-geographical conditions and urbanization processes
The Khorezm oasis was formed along the Amu Darya and its ancient tributaries, and
irrigation systems were an important factor in its urbanization. S.P. According to Tolstov's
research, the first rural communities in Khorezm were formed near river deltas, and urbanization
processes accelerated with the development of irrigation systems.
In the Early Iron Age (7th–5th centuries BC), agricultural farming developed along the
right and left banks of Khorezm, and permanent settlements appeared. M.G. Vorob'yeva's
research shows that the first stages of urbanization were observed in the Dingilzha village
monument and adjacent settlements.
2. Socio-economic development and urbanization
Urbanization processes in Khorezm were associated with socio-economic development
and led to changes in the lifestyle of the population. In the Early Iron Age:
• Crafts and agriculture developed - pottery, textile, and metallurgical crafts were formed
in the Khorezm oasis. S.B. According to Bolelov's research, during this period, architectural
structures changed from pakhsa to brick and large warehouses were built.
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• Irrigation systems were formed - according to B.V. Andrianov, in connection with the
development of irrigation systems, agriculture also intensified, which led to population growth.
• Defensive structures appeared - fortresses such as Kozalikyr and Khumbuztepa served
as defensively fortified centers of urbanization.
3. Traces of urbanization in archaeological monuments
As a result of archaeological excavations, several important monuments confirming
urbanization processes were identified in Southern Khorezm:
• Kozalikyr fortress - served as a center of urbanization with defensive walls and internal
architectural complexes (O.A. Vishnevskaya).
• Khumbuztepa monument - indicates the presence of pottery workshops, an increase in
economic activity.
• The Dingilja village settlement is one of the places where the first agricultural economy
was formed, and dwellings built of pakhsa and mud brick were clearly found.
4. Migration and external influences
The urbanization processes in the Khorezm oasis were not only related to internal factors,
but were also influenced by external factors, including migration processes. According to the
research of B.I. Weinberg, the peasant communities that came from the south had an impact on
the culture of Khorezm.
In the later stage of the Early Iron Age, the population of Khorezm established close
economic ties with Bactria and Sogd. This led to the development of crafts and architecture, and
the formation of urban culture.
Results.
As a result of the analysis of the reflection of urbanization processes in
archaeological monuments in Southern Khorezm, the following important conclusions were
drawn:
1. The development of irrigation systems and the formation of a farming economy. In the
7th–5th centuries BC, artificial irrigation systems were formed in Khorezm. According to the
research of B.V. Andrianov, this process was one of the most important factors of urbanization,
and the rural communities of the oasis achieved an improvement in food supply through farming.
The Dingilja village monument and the Tozabogyob culture are vivid examples of this process.
2. Strengthening of rural communities and the formation of urban centers
As a result of the research, it was determined that the first fortified villages and urban
centers appeared in the Khorezm oasis:
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• Kozalikyr fortress - indicates the development of urbanization processes with defensive
walls and an internal architectural system.
• The Khumbuztepa monument - here there were pottery workshops and craft centers,
which developed as an economic center.
• The Dingilja village settlement - is an example of the development of rural communities
formed on the basis of agriculture.
3. Social stratification and complexity of the economic system
As a result of the urbanization process, social stratification and an economic system
developed in the Khorezm oasis:
• A class of nobles and artisans was formed - large house-fortresses and defensive
structures indicate social stratification.
• Crafts developed - pottery, metallurgy and textiles flourished. According to the research
of S.B. Bolelov, in the early Iron Age, craft products served as the main part of production.
• A trade and exchange system developed - the population of Khorezm established
economic relations with Bactria, Sogd and Margiana.
4. Migration processes and external influences
In the Khorezm oasis, urbanization processes developed under the influence of external
migration, along with local development. According to the research of B.I. Weinberg and V.N.
Pilipko, the population of Southern Khorezm established cultural ties with peasant and artisan
communities from southern Central Asia. This gave rise to technological progress, in particular,
the emergence of new architectural styles.
5. Defense structures and military-political associations
In the 7th–5th centuries BC, defense systems were formed in the Khorezm oasis:
• Kozalikyr fortress and Chirikrabot fortress - fortified structures with defensive walls
and military strategic structures.
• Khumbuztepa and Toshsaq fortress - defense systems were formed around urban centers.
These processes indicate the development of social organizations and the formation of a
political governance system in the Khorezm oasis.
Conclusion.
The results of this study show that urbanization processes in Southern
Khorezm were a complex and multi-stage development process. The formation of the first cities
and rural communities in the ancient Khorezm oasis was associated with natural and
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geographical factors, the development of irrigation systems, the complexity of socio-economic
relations, and external cultural influences.
Based on the results of the study, the following main conclusions can be drawn:
1. Development of irrigation systems - the urbanization process in the Khorezm oasis was
closely related to the improvement of agriculture and irrigation systems. The monuments of
Dingilja, Amirabad, Tozabogyob and other villages dating back to the 7th-5th centuries BC
confirm the development of agriculture.
2. Complexity of socio-economic relations - urbanization processes accelerated in the
Khorezm oasis as a result of the development of crafts, agriculture, and trade relations. The
presence of monuments such as Khumbuztepa and the Kozalikyr fortress indicates the
emergence of production centers and social stratification in the region.
3. External influence and migration factors - The urbanization processes of Khorezm
developed not only due to internal factors, but also due to the influence of external migration.
Peasant and artisan communities from southern Central Asia influenced the cultural development
of the local population.
4. Formation of defense systems - Along with the development of socio-economic
relations in the Khorezm oasis, defense systems were also formed. The Kozalikyr, Chirikrabot
and Toshsaq fortresses are fortified defensive structures, confirming the development of
urbanization processes.
5. Formation of the first urban culture of Khorezm - By the 5th-4th centuries BC, urban
centers with a complex social structure began to form in Khorezm from rural communities.
Monuments such as Khazoraspa, Kozalikyr, and Khumbuztepa indicate the highest stage of
urbanization processes.
In general, urbanization processes in Southern Khorezm gradually developed, and by the
early Iron Age, a society with complex social and economic structures had formed. The
development of irrigation systems, the construction of defensive structures, the emergence of
craft centers, and the strengthening of trade relations laid the foundation for the formation of
urban life in the Khorezm oasis.
In the future, additional archaeological research, radiocarbon analysis, and more accurate
modeling of the location of monuments through geographic information systems (GIS) will be
one of the important scientific directions for further study of this topic.
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHERS
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