Archaeology19 km away
Koy-Krylgan-Kala
An unusual circular building of ancient Khorezm, a round central tower inside a ring wall, thought to have served religious and funerary purposes.
Janbas-Kala
A rectangular Khorezmian fortress of the 4th century BC to 2nd century AD in Turtkul district, with 10–11 m walls and a fire temple.
Fortresses4th century BC
About the place
Janbas-Kala is one of the best preserved fortresses of ancient Khorezm, standing south-east of the Sultan Uvais hills in Turtkul district. It was occupied from the 4th century BC to the 2nd century AD. The walled rectangle measures about 200 by 170 metres, and its mud-brick walls still rise 10 to 11 metres, lined with arrow slits.
Sergei Tolstov's Khorezm expedition excavated it in 1938 and 1939 and found a fire temple, more than 300 dwellings packed along a central street and imported beads. It is usually visited with Toprak-Kala and the other desert fortresses on a day from Khiva or Nukus. Allow about forty minutes, and bring sun protection and water.
Why go
- Walls still 10–11 m high
- Fire temple and 300+ dwellings
- Excavated by Tolstov in 1938–1939
Sources (2)
Nearby
- Archaeology
Archaeology28 km away
Ayaz-Kala
Three ancient fortresses on and below a desert hill in the Kyzylkum, with a view over a salt lake; a yurt camp nearby offers overnight stays.
- © OpenStreetMapArchaeology
32 km away
Guldursun Qala
Massive mud-brick fortress near Ellikqala, occupied from the 2nd century BC until the Mongols destroyed it in the early 13th century.
Archaeology41 km away
Toprak-Kala
The remains of a walled town and royal palace of ancient Khorezm, with a high citadel rising above a rectangular grid of streets.
