The study of archeological researches in the Khorezm oasis during independence years

Ancient northern trade routes from the region were controlled by Khorezm, referred to as Hvarizam in «Avesta», Hvarazmish — in Behistun scripts, Horasm — in the writings of Arrian and Strabo. Ancient culture of Khorezm, destroyed during the Arab invasion in the 8th century, consisted of nearly two thousand years. Khorezm was the holy land «ayran vaychah» of Avesta — the center of the ancient cults for the entire region. State associations already existed on the territory of Khorezm in the 7–6 centuries BC.

The Khorezm oasis and the cities around it played an important role in the ancient socio-economic, political and cultural history of the region.

Keywords: Khorezm, «Avesta», Behistun scripts, State associations, the Khiva Khanate, archaeological researchs, the Khorezm regional branch of the Institute of Archeology of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Urgench State University and etc.

Instroduction: The Khorezm oasis and the cities around it occupy an important place in the development of historical ties between the peoples of Uzbekistan. Gurganj (Khiva-Urganch), Khiva, Ket, Khazarasp, Mizdakkan, Shemahagal, Zamakhshar, Ardahushmisan, Puldzhoy, Burgogon, Jangpikkala, Noringjon, Shorahon, Darongota, Sadvar, Dzhigarband, Based on ceramics, coins and products found in archaeological research in ancient shopping centers such as Madmina, Cardaronhos, Kerdo, we find that agriculture, livestock, craftsmanship and trade relations in Khorezm are also very developed. In Khorezm oasis there are monuments, both written sources and archaeological finds, which show that they played an important role in the ancient socio-economic, political and cultural history of the region. The study of historical monuments of Kyatkala and Voyangan in the Shovat district of the Khorezm region is especially important for covering the supernatural pages of the history of Khorezm.

Discussions: The origins of Kyatkala in Shavat are often mentioned in the sources of the XVII-XIX centuries. The historian of the Khiva Khiva, Shermukhammad Muniz, gives a number of details about Kyatkala, describing the events of the 17th century [1]. In the eighteenth century, Kyat was one of the five great fortresses of the Khiva Khanate called Beshkali «Five Fortresses». After the territory of Anushakhan became stronger, Kjat also became a fortress surrounded by a wall of clay pahsa, gates and a canal filled with water. In times of wars, the population around the fortress moved into it and was safe [2].

It should also be noted the data collected by the member of the ethnographic group of the Khorezm archaeological ethnographic expedition T.P Snesarev [3].

Information about the history of the fortress of Kyat was mentioned in the works of Munis and Ogahy in «Firdavs ul-iqbol» during the campaign of the Khiva Khan — Eltuzarhan (1804–1806) against the Turkmen tribe «Imrely» for insubordination [4]. Information about Kyat is also mentioned in the essays of the period of the reign of Muhammad Rahimkhan I. In the 8th year of the reign of Muhammad Rahimhan (1813), at his command, the ruler Kyat Tangribardibek was sent to collect soldiers from the genus Taka Korakhanli [5].

Reminiscences of Russian merchants, researchers and servicemen who were in Khiva khanate in the 17th-19th centuries are also remarkable. The cities and settlements of Khorezm were originally drawn in 1715 by A. B. Cherkassky, the figures indicated the cities of the left bank of the Amu Darya among which was Kyat [6].

In 1720, on the map compiled by Stratenberg (Tubert), the location of Kyat was determined between Khazarasps and Urgench (Old Urgench). While creating this map, he used the stories of expedition members AB. Cherkasy [7].

In 1753 a merchant from Samara D. Rukavkin visited Khiva. After counting the settlements, he also shows the city of Kyat, on the left bank [9].

In 1842, GI Danilevsky, who visited the Khanate, also was in Kyat and left valuable information [10].

Arrived with G. I. Danilevsky naturalist F. I. Baziner creates a complete map of the Aral Sea and Khiva Khanate on the basis of the expedition data. Kut is located 15 km below Chovot, near the canal [11].

The city was surrounded by a pakhsa and a canal. About the fortress Kyat VV Grigoryev also said: «It was built on a canal 15 km below Shavot. The city is surrounded by a wall and a trench. You can enter the fortress through a single gate. In the city there are 2 mosques and live about 1500 inhabitants [12].

After visiting Central Asia in 1863, A. Wambury indicates that Kyat-Kungrad is the administrative center between Gurlan and New Urgench.

He also gives information about the Yarmish channel and emphasizes that it flows through Kyat-Kungrad [13]. A member of the Caucasian detachment, M. Alikhanov-Avarsky, who participated in the invasion of Khiva Khanate, wrote a number of details about the fortress of Kyat on the left bank of the Amu Darya [14].

After the conquest of tsarist Russia, A. V. Kaulbars and the Russian orientalist AP Kuhn began to deal with the geographical structure and topographic survey of the Lower Amu Darya, provided information on the fortress of Kyat in 1873 [15].

Written sources about Kyat mainly consists of memories of merchants and travelers — these are mainly tourist attractions and merchants. And this does not give enough information to fully cover the history of Kyat. In this regard, archaeological research is very important. Scientific research of the fortress of Kut began in the second half of the XX century. From 1958 to 1960, the Khorezm archaeological ethnographic expedition conducted preliminary studies around Kyat under the leadership of the Uzbek ethnographic group GS Snesarev. Ceramic vessels were found from the surface layers of the city. Ethnographic sources on the history of the city were collected [16].

In 1974, the archaeological detachment of the Karakalpak Branch of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan headed by M. Mambetullayev (members — Yu Manilov, N. Yusupov, G. Khujaniozov) cleared the surface of the cultural layers, and were whispered where the stratigraphy of the city and two places (northeast and central), to determine their time scale. The results of these studies are published in a scientific collection [17]. In 1987, researchers from the Institute of Scientific Research and Design of Cultural Monuments at the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan conducted regular research in the fortress of Kyat. The archaeological work was mainly headed by D. Chunikhin.

The purpose of these studies was to clearly define the stratigraphy and time frame of the city, to study the defense system in the southwestern part of the monument and determine the period of each structure. In addition, these studies later had to create a scientific basis for the restoration work in the monument [18].

In 1994, prof. Sh. Matrasulov, doc. R.Abdyrimov and the senior lecturer. As a result of excavations by K. Sobirov, residential houses in the northern part of the city were studied. As a result, sources of the II-III centuries were refined.

In 2002–2003, Prof. M.Mambetullayev, prof. Sh. Matrasulov, Ph.D. G. Khudzhaniezov, N.Yusupov, Ph.D. M. Masharipov, B. Sadullaev, T. Abdullaev, S. Yusupov, and in 2004, prof. Sh. Matrasulov, Associate Professor. VSSobirov, N.Yusupov, Ph.D. M. Masharipov, B. Sadullaev, E. Masharipov, T. Abdullaev, O. Vaisov conducted archaeological research [19]. One of the most important findings of this study was the silver coin of the Khwarizmshah Artavas II dated II-III centuries BC and a copper coin of the same period. This silver coin is of great importance in terms of its uniqueness [20].

Archaeological research in the city in 2005–2007. V.Masharipov, Ph.D. S. Davletov, doc. V. Sabirov and B. Sadullayev.

Based on the results of the research, it can be said that through the continuation of research, it becomes possible to obtain new information, as well as restore the appearance of the city in the ancient and medieval periods, and this precisely determines the relevance of our subject.

Now, if we pay attention to the study of the monument of Voyangan, known in medieval historical sources as Ardahushmisan, then we find that it was studied even less than the fortress of Kyat. In historical sources there is a lot of information about other commercial cities of Khorezm. Information is provided in the works of the Arab diplomat Ibn Fadlan, who visited Khorezm in 922 [21], in the work of the unknown author Khudud-al-Olam [22], in the chronicles of Istakhri and Makdusi [23], in the works of Yakut Hamavi [24], Hamdullah Kajari [25] and Khoja Khalfi who visited Ardahushmisan in 1219 [26].

Archaeological research on the site of the former Ardahushmisan, now — Voyangan, fully confirming the information of historical sources confirms the fact that in the Middle Ages the city was the largest center of trade and handicraft.

In 1945–1950, the archaeological group under the direction of Y. Gulomov studied the layers of different periods of the monument. The study concluded that the monument was inhabited in two stages: the Kushan period (1st-4th centuries) and medieval times (IX-XIII centuries). At the same time Y. Gulyamov compared this monument with the medieval city of Ardahushmisan [27].

After these studies, the monuments were not investigated for a long time. Only in the 60s of the XX century, with the efforts of scientists from Karakalpakstan, many unexplored monuments were included in the study. Archeology of Karakalpak archaeologists was widely studied especially in the 1970s and 1980s of the 20th century. As a result, attention was paid to the comprehensive study of some historical monuments, the compilation of collected information, publishing articles, collections and monographs.

In particular, the team of M. Mambetullaeva carried out archaeological research in Voyangan (Ardahushmisan) in 1973–1974, and as a result the written sources, the topography of Khorezm commercial cities, and their economic life were confirmed. Together with this, it allowed us to clarify the directions of trade relations and determine which products were imported to Khorezm (Iran, Afghanistan, Volga, etc.) and what goods were exported to neighboring countries [28].

Results: During the years of independence, researchers, professors, teachers, independent researchers of the Institute of History of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Republican Scientific Research Institute of Archeology in Samarkand, the Khorezm Academy of Mamun, the Historical Faculty of the National University of Uzbekistan Mirzo Ulugbek, Urgench State University. Al-Khwarizmi.

1. Khorezm was one of the economically and culturally developed regions of Central Asia, the Middle and Near East in the period from the 4th to the 15th century, and this fully proves both archaeological and written sources. Political and historical processes in this region, ie, the appearance of a number of centralized states in different historical periods and their integration into Central Asia, Iran, Azerbaijan and some states of the Middle East is political stability in a vast territory. This, in turn, led to the development of urban development and, as a result, to the development of cities, like Kyat and Voyangan — Ardaksumishan.
2. Historical and geographical studies should be strengthened throughout the country and implemented under a single program. For this purpose, members of the scientific expeditionary expeditions Voyagan and Kyatkala study archaeological monuments, ancient manuscripts and books, topological, archaeological finds and certificates, inscriptions, drawings and patterns on stones, narratives, and so on. It is obvious that new generalizations will be created on the basis of a careful analysis of reliable information from such sources.
3. It is necessary to try to create new pages of history, exploring the remains of cities and castles that were registered by members of the Khorezm archaeological and ethnographic expedition of the 1930s and 1990s and have not yet been studied.
4. The history of Khor-Kala and Voyangan-Ardahushmisan monuments and their role in world development are reflected in various sources and studies of history. Arab-Persian sources are the most important sources in covering the history of these monuments of Khorezm. Although many studies have been carried out on them, they still have problems. Therefore it would be useful to collect valuable information about local history from the scientific heritage of our compatriots and Arab-Persian historians, and also to make generalizations, brochures, books and historical and geographical maps.
5. Recognizing that the XXI century is the century of intellectual research, serious attention should be paid to the younger generation of Uzbekistan, the re-creation of a new generation of patriotic historians, archeologists, ethnographers with deep knowledge, skills and experience. The solution of this urgent problem is a guarantee of successful study of scientific topics in the history of Khorezm.
6. It is necessary to create conditions for further strengthening of ties between archaeologists, historians and ethnographers, young researchers working in the Khorezm region and the Republic of Karakalpakstan, as well as for joint research of the problems that await the solution. Based on the study of these archaeological sites, the following conclusions were drawn:

‒ Develop an archaeological group with the involvement of qualified archaeological researchers, professors (teachers);

‒ compilation of maps on the latest data of the monument;

‒ creation of conditions and preliminary stationary research of archaeological research at the monument;

‒ analyze the results of practical research at scientific and theoretical seminars and publish the results obtained in different publications;

‒ a comparative study of the results of research on the results of archaeological research conducted by scientific institutions in Uzbekistan and abroad;

‒ to attract experienced specialists of the republic in order to achieve positive results of the research would be expedient.

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