Excavation of the Western Suburban Complex of Bol’shoy K’irk-K’iz in 2021

Abstract

During excavations in 2021 at the Western Suburban Complex (WSC) of the Bol’shoy K’irk-K’iz, room I and the northern courtyard were investigated. In room II, the later interior extensions in its western and southern parts were dismantled. After it became clear that the width of room II was originally 4 m. At the first stage of functioning, the walls were covered with clay plaster with whitewash. The few pottery fragments that were found in room II date back to the 4th-2nd centuries. BC, possibly 1st c. BC. In 2021, the study of the new room III began. The original excavation was extended to the south by 8.4 m. At an elevations of -207 and -202 from the benchmark, the floor was opened in the form of a pavement of mud bricks (40×40×12; 42×42×12; 39×42×11–12 cm). In rooms II and III, a large number of fragments of plaster with traces of polychrome painting were found. Particularly numerous are fragments of bright blue paint, which undoubtedly dominated the color scheme of room III, which made it possible to call it the “Blue Hall”. The WSC arose simultaneously with the Bol’shoy K’irk-K’iz no later than the turn of the 4th-3rd centuries. BC. The period of functioning of the complex does not go beyond the ancient Chorasmian period. In general, the planning scheme of the WSC, as well as the existing architectural analogies, allows us to speak with confidence about the palace-temple character of the entire monument.