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Uzundara Fortress

Hellenistic mountain fortress of the 3rd–2nd centuries BC on the Susiztog ridge near Boysun, found in 1991, with about 1 km of walls and at least 13 towers.

Archaeology3rd century BC

About the place

Uzundara is a mountain fortress of the 3rd–2nd centuries BC, the Greco-Bactrian period, built on the Susiztog ridge in Boysun district to guard the northern approaches to Bactria. It was discovered in 1991 by the archaeologist Edvard Rtveladze, and excavations have continued since.

Its stone walls run for about a kilometre and stand up to four metres high, with at least thirteen towers enclosing some two hectares. The site is remote and reached by a steep climb, so go with a local guide and good shoes; allow about two hours there and back.

Why go

  • Hellenistic stone walls up to 4 m
  • At least 13 towers
  • Mountain-ridge setting

Sources (3)

  1. 1.Wikidata
  2. 2.ru.wikipedia.org
  3. 3.uz.wikipedia.org

Nearby

  • Archaeology

    8 km away

    Iron Gate and Darband Wall

    The narrow Buzgala gorge west of Boysun, the Silk Road's Iron Gate described by Xuanzang around 630, with remains of a wall of the 1st–3rd centuries.

  • Crafts

    23 km away

    Cultural Space of Boysun

    Mountain district in Surkhandarya whose living traditions of song, craft and ritual are on UNESCO's Representative List of intangible heritage (2008).

  • Teshik-Tash CaveNature

    27 km away

    Teshik-Tash Cave

    A limestone cave in the Boysun mountains where the remains of a Neanderthal child were found in 1938, set in a gorge reached on foot.

  • Resorts

    34 km away

    Omonkhona Spring and Sanatorium

    Mineral spring about 16 km from Boysun, with water rich in silicic acid and iron, and a sanatorium run by Uzbekistan Railways since 2014; Omonkhona cave is nearby.