From the Iron Gate to Uzundara: some results of the work of the Bactrian detachment of the CAE IA RAS

Abstract

The article presents the results of the work of the exploration group of the Bactrian detachment in 2016–2022 in the Sherabad district of Surkhandarya region of the Republic of Uzbekistan. These works were aimed at the archaeological surey of the Suvsiztag Mountain in the territory to the north of the Uzundara fortress. The territory in the interval from the Buzgalakhon gorge to the Darband wall is considered separately. The site of the iron gate is described in close connection with the geography of the region and other structures of the fortification system such as Tower No. 1, Tower No. 2 and Uzundara Fortress. A plan of the Darbant wall has been drawn up taking into account the terrain and new facilities near the Shurabsay River gorge.The first data on the Tower No. 1 found in 2022 was published, as well as the results of the excavation of Tower No. 2. This tower, round in plan, was lined with a smaller stone from the outside and had a “basment” room. During the excavations, more than 40 fragments of ceramics were found including two fragments of jugs with a roller on the throat and a rim of a pot-shaped cup. All these finds are similar to those from the Uzundara Fortress, which allows us to establish the date of the existence of Tower No. 2 within the III–II centuries B.C. The final part of the article reflects the topographic and logical relationship and interdependence between all the objects under consideration