The Return to Ancient Chorasmia: Explorations of the Joint Karakalpak-Russian Complex Archaeological Expedition on the Ustyurt Plateau and at Bol’shoy K’irk-K’iz

Abstract

The article covers the main findings of the first season of the South Aral Joint Karakalpak-Russian Complex Archaeological Expedition, created according to the agreement of the Institute of Oriental Studies (Russian Academy of Sciences), the State Museum of Oriental Art; Karakalpak Research Institute of Humanities, Karakalpak Branch of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Nukus State Pedagogical Institute named after Azhiniyaz. At the first stage (April 15–30), during the work at Gunzheli Burial Ground 1 (Ustyurt plateau, Karakalpakstan Shumanai region), there were excavated 23 burial mounds of the early nomadic era, as well as Caravanserai (Gunzheli 2). Studies of the Greater Gungeli mound (Gunzheli 3) allowed to make conclusions about two stages of its functioning: The first, judging by the findings of the Chorasmian wheel-turned pottery of the 4th–1st centuries BC, dates accordingly; during the second stage (3rd–4th centuries AD), ten ossuaries with bones, buried according to the Zoroastrian rite, were let into the stone structure-crepe located at the base of the mound.For the second stage (May 2–17), the expedition moved to the Illikalli region of Karakalpakstan, where the citadel of the Bol’shoy K’irk-K’iz and the Western suburban complex were explored. During excavations on the crest of the fortress wall we completely uncovered a section of the rifle gallery at the level, as can be assumed today, of the lower floor. In addition, a significant section of the citadel adjacent to the defensive wall of the fortress was excavated. During the excavation of the Western suburban complex, dating from the size of bricks and ceramics findings 4th–2nd centuries BC, there were revealed traces of polychrome painting and monumental unbaked clay sculpture.