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Coordinates: 41°49′41.17″N 60°43′8.67″E / 41.8281028°N 60.7190750°E / 41.8281028; 60.7190750
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{{Short description|Archaeological site in Uzbekistan}}
{{Infobox ancient site
{{Infobox ancient site
|name = Akchakhan-Kala
|name = Akchakhan-Kala
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|map_size =
|map_size =
|relief=yes
|relief=yes
|coordinates = {{coord|41|49|41.17|N|60|43|8.67|E|display=inline,title}}<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Dodson |first1=John R |title=The nature of fluctuating lakes in the southern Amu-dar'ya delta |journal=Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology |date=2015 |volume=437 |page=63 |doi=10.1016/j.palaeo.2015.06.026 |bibcode=2015PPP...437...63D |url=https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Map-of-Amu-darya-delta-showing-location-of-Akchakhan-kala_fig3_282600448}}</ref>
|coordinates = {{coord|41|49|41.17|N|60|43|8.67|E|display=inline,title}}
|location = [[Karakalpakstan]], [[Uzbekistan]]
|location = [[Karakalpakstan]], [[Uzbekistan]]
|region =
|region =
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|notes =
|notes =
}}
}}
'''Akchakhan-Kala''', located in at '''Kazakly-Yatkan''' (local name) in modern [[Karakalpakstan]], [[Uzbekistan]], was an ancient fortress in [[Chorasmia]] in the 2nd/3rd century CE, where wall paintings have been discovered.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=KIDD |first1=F. |last2=CLEARY |first2=M. NEGUS |last3=YAGODIN |first3=V. N. |last4=BETTS |first4=A. |last5=BRITE |first5=E. BAKER |title=Ancient Chorasmian Mural Art |journal=Bulletin of the Asia Institute |date=2004 |volume=18 |pages=69–95 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24049142?seq=13#metadata_info_tab_contents |issn=0890-4464}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Minardi |first1=Michele |title=Columned Halls in Ancient Chorasmia |url=https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Akchakhan-kala-the-main-hypostyle-hall-in-the-Central-Building-viewed-from-the-north_fig1_319153387}}</ref> It is part of the "Fifty fortresses oasis" in modern-day [[Uzbekistan]].<ref name="BVA">{{cite book |last1=Adrianov |first1=Boris V. |last2=Mantellini |first2=Simone |title=Ancient Irrigation Systems of the Aral Sea Area: Ancient Irrigation Systems of the Aral Sea Area |publisher=Oxbow Books, Limited |isbn=978-1-78297-167-2 |page=38 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=is0nDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA38 |language=en}}</ref>
'''Akchakhan-Kala''', or '''Akcha-khan Kala''', also named after the locality '''Kazakly-Yatkan'''/ '''Kazakl'i-Yatkan''', in modern [[Karakalpakstan]], [[Uzbekistan]], was an ancient fortress in [[Chorasmia]] built in the 4th/ 3rd century BCE and occupied until it was despoiled in the 2nd century CE.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=KIDD |first1=F. |last2=CLEARY |first2=M. NEGUS |last3=YAGODIN |first3=V. N. |last4=BETTS |first4=A. |last5=BRITE |first5=E. BAKER |title=Ancient Chorasmian Mural Art |journal=Bulletin of the Asia Institute |date=2004 |volume=18 |pages=69–95 |jstor=24049142 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24049142 |issn=0890-4464}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Minardi |first1=Michele |title=Columned Halls in Ancient Chorasmia |url=https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Akchakhan-kala-the-main-hypostyle-hall-in-the-Central-Building-viewed-from-the-north_fig1_319153387}}</ref> It is part of the "Fifty fortresses oasis" in modern-day [[Uzbekistan]].<ref name="BVA">{{cite book |last1=Adrianov |first1=Boris V. |last2=Mantellini |first2=Simone |title=Ancient Irrigation Systems of the Aral Sea Area: Ancient Irrigation Systems of the Aral Sea Area |date=31 December 2013 |publisher=Oxbow Books, Limited |isbn=978-1-78297-167-2 |page=38 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=is0nDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA38 |language=en}}</ref> The abandonment of Akchakhan-Kala was apparently followed by the establishment of the new capital of [[Toprak-Kala]], 14 km to the northeast.<ref name="MM"/>

==Excavations==
Akcha-khan Kala has been the object of numerous excavations, still ongoing. A ceremonial complex with a [[hypostyle]] hall was discovered.<ref name="MM"/>

<gallery>
File:Corner of upper enclosure of Kazakl'i-yatkan.jpg|Corner of upper enclosure of Kazakl'i-yatkan
File:Kazakl'i-yatkan.jpg|Kazakl'i-yatkan
File:Column base at Kazakl'i-yatkan.jpg|Column base at Kazakl'i-yatkan
File:Mud brick floor at Kazakl'i-yatkan.jpg|Mud brick floor at Kazakl'i-yatkan
</gallery>

==Paintings==
Many decorations have been found, belonging to the period from the 1st century BCE to the 2nd century CE: a large quantity of frescoes, unbaked-clay modelled sculptures including fragments of a [[Ketos]] in [[Hellenistic art|Hellenistic style]], and a [[Zoroastrian]] [[fire altar]] with paintings of colossal [[Avestan]] gods.<ref name="MM">{{cite journal |last1=Minardi |first1=Michele |title=The Ancient Chorasmian Unbaked-clay Modelled Sculptures: Hellenistic Cultural 'Impacts' on an Eastern Iranian Polity |journal=Religion, Society, Trade and Kingship. Art and Archaeology in South Asia Along the Silk Road 5500 BCE-5th Century CE (South Asian Archaeology and Art 2016, Volume 1) |date=January 2020 |pages=195–205 |url=https://www.academia.edu/42306214 |language=en}}</ref> [[Parthian Empire|Parthian]] artistic influences have also been described.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kidd |first1=Fiona J. |title=Complex Connections : Figurative Art from Akchakhan-Kala and the Problematic Question of Relations between Khorezm and Parthia |journal=Topoi. Orient-Occident |date=2011 |volume=17 |issue=1 |pages=229–276 |doi=10.3406/topoi.2011.2406 |url=https://www.persee.fr/doc/topoi_1161-9473_2011_num_17_1_2406}}</ref>

<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px" perrow="4">
File:Akchakhan-Kala mural.jpg|Akchakhan-Kala mural
File:Kazakly Yaktan mural (2).jpg|Akchakhan-Kala mural
File:Kazakly Yaktan mural.jpg|Akchakhan-Kala mural
File:Chorasmian oasis main fortresses.jpg|Location of the Akchakhan-Kala fortress in the [[Chorasmia]]n oasis, in relation to other main fortresses
</gallery>


==References==
==References==
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{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
* [http://www.qaraqalpaq.com/ancakcha.html Excavations of Kazakl'i-yatkan (Akchakhan-Kala)]
{{Central Asian history}}
{{Fortresses of Chorasmia}}
{{Tourist attractions in Uzbekistan}}
{{Tourist attractions in Uzbekistan}}
[[Category:Central Asia]]
[[Category:Central Asia]]
[[Category:Archaeology of Iran]]
[[Category:Archaeology of Iran]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Uzbekistan]]
[[Category:Desert castles of ancient Khorezm]]
[[Category:Former populated places in Uzbekistan]]
[[Category:Former populated places in Uzbekistan]]
[[Category:Kushan Empire]]
[[Category:Kushan Empire]]

Latest revision as of 21:43, 3 October 2023

Akchakhan-Kala
A mural from Akchakhan-Kala
Akchakhan-Kala is located in West and Central Asia
Akchakhan-Kala
Shown within West and Central Asia
Akchakhan-Kala is located in Uzbekistan
Akchakhan-Kala
Akchakhan-Kala (Uzbekistan)
Alternative nameAkchakhan-Kala
LocationKarakalpakstan, Uzbekistan
Coordinates41°49′41.17″N 60°43′8.67″E / 41.8281028°N 60.7190750°E / 41.8281028; 60.7190750[1]
TypeSettlement
History
PeriodsParthian, Sasanian
Site notes
ConditionRuined

Akchakhan-Kala, or Akcha-khan Kala, also named after the locality Kazakly-Yatkan/ Kazakl'i-Yatkan, in modern Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, was an ancient fortress in Chorasmia built in the 4th/ 3rd century BCE and occupied until it was despoiled in the 2nd century CE.[2][3] It is part of the "Fifty fortresses oasis" in modern-day Uzbekistan.[4] The abandonment of Akchakhan-Kala was apparently followed by the establishment of the new capital of Toprak-Kala, 14 km to the northeast.[5]

Excavations

[edit]

Akcha-khan Kala has been the object of numerous excavations, still ongoing. A ceremonial complex with a hypostyle hall was discovered.[5]

Paintings

[edit]

Many decorations have been found, belonging to the period from the 1st century BCE to the 2nd century CE: a large quantity of frescoes, unbaked-clay modelled sculptures including fragments of a Ketos in Hellenistic style, and a Zoroastrian fire altar with paintings of colossal Avestan gods.[5] Parthian artistic influences have also been described.[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Dodson, John R (2015). "The nature of fluctuating lakes in the southern Amu-dar'ya delta". Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 437: 63. Bibcode:2015PPP...437...63D. doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2015.06.026.
  2. ^ KIDD, F.; CLEARY, M. NEGUS; YAGODIN, V. N.; BETTS, A.; BRITE, E. BAKER (2004). "Ancient Chorasmian Mural Art". Bulletin of the Asia Institute. 18: 69–95. ISSN 0890-4464. JSTOR 24049142.
  3. ^ Minardi, Michele. "Columned Halls in Ancient Chorasmia". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ Adrianov, Boris V.; Mantellini, Simone (31 December 2013). Ancient Irrigation Systems of the Aral Sea Area: Ancient Irrigation Systems of the Aral Sea Area. Oxbow Books, Limited. p. 38. ISBN 978-1-78297-167-2.
  5. ^ a b c Minardi, Michele (January 2020). "The Ancient Chorasmian Unbaked-clay Modelled Sculptures: Hellenistic Cultural 'Impacts' on an Eastern Iranian Polity". Religion, Society, Trade and Kingship. Art and Archaeology in South Asia Along the Silk Road 5500 BCE-5th Century CE (South Asian Archaeology and Art 2016, Volume 1): 195–205.
  6. ^ Kidd, Fiona J. (2011). "Complex Connections : Figurative Art from Akchakhan-Kala and the Problematic Question of Relations between Khorezm and Parthia". Topoi. Orient-Occident. 17 (1): 229–276. doi:10.3406/topoi.2011.2406.
[edit]