Information about the Department of Archaeology
Department of Archaeology of the Karakalpak Research Institute of Humanities of the Karakalpak Branch of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Head of Department, PhD, Senior Researcher A.Zh. Toreniyazov.
Scientific potential of the department:
The department employs 4 research fellows (A.Zh. Toreniyazov, M.A. Karlibaev, A.T. Bekbauliev, I.M. Khodzhalepesov), 1 basic doctoral student (A.G. Mamedov, D.S. Tursynbaev) and 1 laboratory assistant (U.O. Zholdasbaeva).
History of the Archaeology Department:
After the organization of the Institute of History, Language and Literature at the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 1959, the archaeology and ethnography sector was opened.
In 1958, the employees of the institute, students of Professor S.P. Tolstov, A.V. Gudkova and V.N. Yagodin, first began studying the archaeological monuments of the lower delta of the Amu Darya. Such monuments as Tok kala, Hayvan kala, Kurgancha on the right bank of the Amu Darya, Mizdakhkan, Monchakly, Ketenler, Kalalyk, Tomar kala 1-3, Pulzhai on the left bank of the Amu Darya were preliminarily studied. Karakalpak archaeologists, studying the monuments of the Aral Sea region, developed the problems of Kerder. The Institute’s employee Yu. Manylov studied the ancient and medieval monuments of Sultanuizdag, discovered a large number of ancient mine workings, mineral deposits, stones and metals suitable for mining in the mountains.
In the beginning of the 70th year, the archeology sector was replenished with young forces (G.Khozhaniyazov, B.Saypanov, M.Sh.Kdyrniyazov, O.Yusupov). Since that time, the employees of the department have been conducting research on the Ustyurt plateau. The Paleolithic of the Aral-Caspian region was discovered (Shakhpakly, Karakudyk, Yesen, etc.), monuments of early and late nomads and “arrow-shaped layouts” were found. In 1991, the monograph of Professor V.N. Yagodin, “Arrow-shaped layouts of Ustyurt. Archeology of the Aral Sea region. Issue 5” was published (Tashkent, 1991). The settlements of Aibugir, Devkesken, Akchungul, and the caravanserais of Ustyurt were also investigated. In the period from 1973-1983, the employees of the department conducted a number of studies in the Khorezm region. 16 newly discovered monuments were added to the archaeological map of the Khorezm region.
From 1984 to 1990, the department’s staff conducted research in the city of Khiva to determine the city’s age. During the years of independence, the archeology department was replenished with young people (V.V. Yagodin, A. Iskanderova, Sh. Amirov, etc.), and broad international scientific ties were developing. A large scientific project was being developed jointly with scientists from the University of Sydney. Within its framework, the “Karakalpak-Australian” archaeological expedition was created, which has been studying the archaeological sites of the ancient Tashkyrman oasis since 1995. As a result, new archaeological sites were discovered (Karatepe 3 and 4, Toprak kala 3 and 4, Sheytlik, Kopan kala, Shopan kyrylgan, Svend tepe, Dali kala, Kyatabad, etc.). The unique Zoroastrian fire temple Tashkyrman tepe and Akshakhan kala were discovered. Akchahan-kala was a heavily fortified royal ceremonial and possibly administrative center in the early antique period. As a result of cooperation with the University of Sydney (Australia), three books have been published, about 30 articles have been published, and archaeologists have spoken at 20 international conferences.
Main scientific directions of the department:
The department staff conducts scientific research on the problems of archeology of the Southern Aral Sea region from antiquity to the Middle Ages. The department carries out work on defending dissertations on the following problematic issues: the material culture of Kerder, ancient ceramics of ancient Khorezm, agro-archaeological research in the Southern Aral Sea region, glazed ceramics and jewelry of medieval Khorezm.
The main tasks in the implementation of the scientific direction:
The main tasks of the research conducted by the archeology department are:
study of the material culture of the ancient and medieval Southern Aral Sea region;
study of the cultural ties of the sedentary and nomadic population of the ancient and medieval Southern Aral Sea region;
study of the urban culture of the Southern Aral Sea region in antiquity and the Middle Ages.
Main scientific problems being developed:
The department staff conducts research on the problems of archeology of the Southern Aral Sea region from antiquity to the Middle Ages. The department carries out dissertations that cover the following problematic issues: the material culture of Kerder, ancient ceramics of Ancient Khorezm, agro-archaeological research in the Southern Aral Sea region, glazed ceramics and jewelry of medieval Khorezm. Relations of the department with foreign organizations:
The employees of our department give lectures at the universities of Karakalpakstan, took an active part in seminars (St. Petersburg (Russia), participated in international conferences in Xianye (China), Bordeaux (France), Almaty, Turkstan (Karakalpakstan), Baku (Azerbaijan), Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), Samarkand and Nukus (Uzbekistan), etc. The department cooperates with archaeologists from the University of Sydney (Australia), Boston University and Purdue University (USA), University of Bordeaux (France), Beijing University (China) and the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Archaeological research is carried out jointly with foreign organizations in the following expeditions:
Karakalpak-Chinese archaeological expedition; the main direction of the expedition is the study of archaeological sites in the ancient Tashkyrman oasis and the Akshakhan-kala settlement.
Kurganchi archaeological expedition, conducting research on the Kurgancha settlement together with archaeologists from the A.Kh. Khalikov Institute of Archaeology of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan, the main direction of the expedition is the study of archaeological sites of the Kerder culture.
Karakalpak-American International Expedition: The main focus of the expedition is conducting excavations at the Abu Muslim Qala fortress site, located in the Karaozak district.
Currently, the Department of Archaeology is conducting research on the fundamental topic of «Urban and Rural Culture of the Southern Aral Sea Region from Antiquity to the Middle Ages: History of Study and Prospects for Further Research». The topic is devoted to the study of such issues as ceramics of ancient and medieval Khorezm, the material culture of the Kerder culture and the agricultural culture of the Southern Aral Sea region. The main goal of the topic is to highlight the main aspects of the material culture of the Southern Aral Sea region in antiquity and the Middle Ages. Based on this, the main task was to conduct archaeological excavations at the sites of Akchahan-kala, Big Kyrk-kyz-kala, Kavat-kala and Kurgancha. The implementation of the topic is designed for five years.
The most important scientific results obtained by the department:
The department staff discovered a new archaeological oasis, the ancient Tashkyrman oasis, and discovered new archaeological sites in the Shumanay (caravanserai and burial mound of Gunzheli) and Takhiatash districts. The oldest wall paintings in Central Asia were found in Akchahan-Kala. A rural settlement of the ancient Khorezm period was discovered to the east of Big Kyrk-kyz-Kala. Numerous burials of nomadic Karakalpaks of the 19th – early 20th centuries were discovered on the Ustyurt plateau (on the Karabaur ridge).
Over the past five years, the staff of the archaeology department have published about 50 articles and theses, of which 18 articles were published in foreign publications.