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SOME ISSUES CONCERNING THE ARCHAEOLOGY AND ECOLOGY OF
KHOREZM FROM THE 10TH MILLENNIUM BCE TO THE END OF THE 6TH
CENTURY BCE
Sharkiya Rakhmatullaeva,
a first-stage student of the History Department at Mamun University.
Abstract:
This article explores the ancient period of ecological history, focusing on issues
related to archaeo-ecology in the territories of the Khorezm oasis, based on archaeological
materials.
Keywords:
ecology, Neolithic, Eneolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, daily life of humans,
economic activities, growth rates of productive forces, land geology, Amu Darya, Syr Darya,
Kuvandarya, Uzboy, Sarykamysh region.
Contemporary researchers and specialists in the history of ecology analyze the history of human
economic activities and regard the history of socio-ecological processes as the initial stage,
represented by the hunting-gathering culture phase
This stage covers the period from ancient times up to 10,000–8,000 years before the Common
Era (BCE). It is known that in the earliest phase of human society, people initially relied on
gathering and hunting for their subsistence over a long period. This situation reflects humanity's
complete dependence on natural conditions and the availability of food resources. The transition
of humanity to the agrarian culture stage in our oasis took place in the first millennium BCE.
The Neogene period, which spans approximately from 25 to 10 million years ago, was a
significant phase in the geological history of the region, including the modern-day Aral Sea area
and the Kyzylkum Desert. During this period, extensive lowlands formed in the region, which
were part of ancient basins and plains. Later, during more recent geological periods, the Aral
depression was flooded for the second time by the waters of the Caspian Sea. This transgression
led to the deposition of thick layers of sand and clay on the seafloor
The natural geographical map of Central Asia presents a diverse and colorful landscape, and its
current natural geographical valuation is no exception. The Amu Darya plays a significant role in
the formation of the basins of the Lower Amu Darya, Sarykamysh, and the western Aral Sea.
According to geological research findings, the waters of the Amu Darya carry various sediments
from its upper stream, forcefully covering the Surkhan oasis area before turning westward.
The Eastern Khorasan mountains, acting as a barrier, cause the Amu Darya to flow through
Akhtam and Kelkar after passing the city of Karshi. During the early Quaternary period, it
1
Прохоров Б.Б. Экология человека: эволюционный аспект /Эволюционная и историческая антропоэкология.
- М., 1994. - С. 47-65.
2
Баратов Н, Маматқулов М, Рафиқов А, Ўрта Осиё геграфияси.Тошкент, “Ўзбекистон”, 2002, 283 бет
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609
collected water from the five tributaries of the Zarafshan River and eventually flowed into the
Caspian Sea through a wide channel
By the end of the Quaternary geological period, the Sarykamysh basin, the Lower Amu Darya,
and the Aral Sea basin had formed as low-lying areas. During this geological period, the
formation of the Aral Sea was completed. It is important to note that the activity of the Amu
Darya and Syr Darya rivers played a significant role in the formation of the Aral and
Sarykamysh depressions in the region.
The Akchadarya tributary of the Amu Darya, along with the Janadarya and Kuvandarya
tributaries of the Syr Darya, contributed to the formation of the northeastern Aral Sea basins as
they merged and flowed into the area
.
The paleoecology of Khorezm is closely linked to the Quaternary period of Earth's geology.
Archaeological research has revealed that during the 7th to 6th millennia BCE, the dynamics of
the Amu Darya led to the formation of water basins and lake shores across the vast lowlands
stretching from the Karakum Desert to the shores of the Aral Sea. These areas, with their
anthropogenic landscapes and massifs, provided favorable conditions for human economic
activities.
According to the research of E.B. Bizhanov, the Ustyurt Plateau and the Sultan Uvays
monuments were favorable environments for tribes whose way of life during the late Stone Age
and Mesolithic periods was primarily based on hunting and gathering. These regions offered
3
Ўрта Осиё табий харитаси Т-2005
4
Ўрта Осиёни табиий геграфияси Тошкент, 2005.
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suitable
conditions
for
their
subsistence
and
livelihood
According to the research of S.P. Tolstov and A.V. Vinogradov, by the 5th millennium BCE, the
rise in the water level of the Akchadarya tributary of the Amu Darya led to the filling of the
depressions between the sand hills in the northeastern border of the Yonbosqala hills. This
created favorable ecological conditions within the anthropogenic landscape, allowing our
ancestors to engage in hunting and gathering activities in the region. These conditions supported
their subsistence and livelihood strategies during that period
During the development of Neolithic society, there were no noticeable signs of human impact on
the ecological conditions. The ecological state of the Neolithic period persisted into the
Eneolithic, Bronze, and Early Iron Ages. Starting from the second half of the 6th century BCE,
the ecological situation began to change due to the spread of Avestan agricultural settlements
from the Helmand Valley to the lowlands stretching from the Karakum Desert to the southern
shores of the Aral Sea. By the end of the second half of the 6th century BCE, the Khorezmian
farmers altered the landscape by constructing the Charmanayb main canal from the middle
section of the Daudan tributary of the Amu Darya toward Koʻzalikir. This transformation led to
the emergence of favorable ecological micro-oases around the rising city of Koʻzalikir.
5
Виногродов А.В. Бижанов Е.Б. Первые полеолические находки с юго-восточного Устюрта А О 1977, М,
«Наука» 1979. Бижанов Е.Б. Мезолитические и неолитические пинотники север западного Устюрта
6
Толстов С.П. Древние Хорезм. М, «Наука» 1948 , уша муаллиф Древние Хорезмской. Цивилизации, М. Л.
«Наука» 1948 Виноградов А.В. Древние охотники и рыболовы средноезпатного междуречье. М. «Науке»,
1981
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From the late 6th century BCE, the Khorezmians mastered iron smelting and began producing
various tools from its alloys, which somewhat complicated the ecological situation. The ability to
work with iron facilitated the construction of artificial irrigation systems, the improvement of
agricultural practices across many regions, and the establishment of ancient urban centers based
on sedentary farming cultures. This period marked the rise of early urbanism and the
development of advanced agricultural techniques.
References
1. Prokhorov B.B.
Human ecology: evolutionary aspect / Evolutionary and historical
anthropoecology. - M., 1994. - S. 47-65.
2. Baratov N, Mamatkulov M, Rafikov A, Geography of Central Asia. Tashkent, "Uzbekistan",
2002, 283 pages
3. Natural map of Central Asia. T-2005
4. Natural geography of Central Asia, Tashkent, 2005.
5. Vinogrodov A.V. Bijanov E.B. Pervye poleolicheskie nakhodki s yugo-vostochnogo
Ustyurta A O 1977, M, "Nauka". 1979.
6. Bijanov E.B. Mesolithic and neolithic pinots of north western Ustyurta.
7. Tolstov S.P. Ancient Khorezm. M, "Nauka" 1948,
8. Tolstov S.P. Drevnie Khorezmskoy civilization, M. L. "Nauka" 1948
9. Vinogradov A.V. Drevnie okhotniki i rybovyy srednoezpatnogo mejdureche. M. "Nauke",
1981
