NEWS

The Turkic Academy Researches the Oghuz Cities in the Aral Sea Region

President of the Turkic Academy Shahin Mustafayev visited the Kyzylorda region and explored archaeological excavations at the ancient city of Zhankent.

Last year, the Turkic Academy and Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda State University entered into an agreement to collaborate on a joint scientific project and formalized it through a signed protocol.

The aim of this collaboration is to conduct a joint research study on the archaeological site of Zhankent settlement in the Kyzylorda region and to incorporate the materials obtained during the research into scientific discourse.

The President of the Turkic Academy, Shahin Mustafayev, after reviewing the progress of the archaeological excavations, expressed confidence in the successful implementation of the project, noting that the work is proceeding according to plan. He also expressed gratitude to the scientists and specialists for their valuable contributions to the study and preservation of the region's historical heritage.

The ancient city of Zhankent holds significant historical and archaeological importance in Central Asia's early medieval era. Situated in the Kazaly district of the Kyzylorda region, it served as a pivotal hub during the formation of the Oghuz Yabgu state from the 7th to the 10th centuries AD, within the ancient Syr Darya delta territory. This period witnessed a flourishing urban culture in Zhankent, extensively documented in various written sources.

During the excavations at the Zhankent site, materials were unearthed that bear resemblance to archaeological discoveries from Zhetysu and the Chu River valley. These findings are dated to the early 8th to 9th centuries, shedding light on the historical context of the region during that period.

The "Swamp settlements" culture stands out as unique in Central Asia, lacking analogues in the region. The findings from this research could provide a foundation for examining the ethnic makeup of the populace in early medieval cities within the Southeastern Aral Sea region.