Geoarchaeological Study of Kyshkala During the 11th–15th centuries AD

Authors

  • Madyar Eleuov Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
  • Renato Sala Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
  • Jean-Marc Deom Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
  • Dokei Taleev A.K. Margulan Institute of Archaeology
  • Arkhad Moldakhmet Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
  • Syrym Esen L.N. Gumilev Eurasian National University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/jia.25531

Keywords:

Syr Darya delta, medieval urbanization, Khwarazm-Kipchak, Golden Horde, water supply system, Islamization

Abstract

Between 2018-2022, the archaeological study of the medieval town of Kyshkaka (11th–15th centuries AD) represented a new investigative focus on the pre-Mongol and post-Mongol history of Syr Darya delta and, more specifically, of the Upper Jana Darya basin. As a result of these studies, Kyshkala (Barchinkent), located at the centre of the delta, joining Jankent at the estuary and Sygnak at its mouth, one of the three richest medieval urban zones of the delta region, endowed with the highest potential for irrigation and urbanization, has been examined. In addition to excavations, this study benefited from the fruitful application of geoarchaeological methods, macro-scale surveying and mapping, climate-environmental analyses, radiometric dating, and statistical evaluations. Supported by the systematization of historical sources and archaeological reports, the reconstruction of the development of the urban complexes of the region, the analysis of the hydrological and water supply systems, and the absolute dating of Kyshkala town have been attempted. The research results allow the discussion of some crucial points of the history of the Upper Jana Darya basin, in particular, concerning the socio-cultural continuity between the pre-Mongol and post-Mongol periods, which was broken only with the establishment of Timurid rule, and the important function played by Kyshkala as a powerful political and Muslim centre that blossomed under the Golden Horde, influencing all the surrounding region from the 12th to the 14th centuries.

Author Biographies

  • Madyar Eleuov, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

    Madyar Eleuov (Doctor of historical science and senior archaeologist at the Al-Farabi KazNu university of Kazakhstan) has discovered and documented most of the medieval sites registered today in the provincial inventories of historical monuments of South Kazakhstan (Chu-Talas and Syr-Darya Basins). He is leading the multiannual archaeological project devoted to the study of Kyshkala and the upper Jana Darya.

  • Renato Sala, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

    Renato Sala (Leading researcher at the Laboratory of Geoarchaeology at the Al-Farabi KazNu university of Kazakhstan) is expert on the systematization of archaeological data and their correlation with geological and paleo proxy data. He has led several projects concerning land use, urbanization and irrigation of the Syr Darya Basin.

  • Jean-Marc Deom, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

    Jean-Marc Deom (Senior researcher at the Laboratory of Geoarchaeology at the Al-Farabi KazNu university of Kazakhstan) is specialized in mapping archaeological sites and in the collection of historical and ethnographic material. 

  • Dokei Taleev, A.K. Margulan Institute of Archaeology

    Dokei Taleev (Senior researcher at the Institute of archaeology named after A.K. Margulan of Kazakhstan) is a chief field archaeologist who has researched numerous medieval sites in south Kazakhstan. He has a rich experience in the excavation of Golden Horde and Islamic monuments.

  • Arkhad Moldakhmet, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

    Arkhad Moldakhmet is a PhD student of M. Eleuov at the Al-Farabi KazNu university of Kazakhstan and at the Gumilev Eurasian National University, who is conducting the technical (excavation, conservation) and 
    managerial aspects of the Kyshkala project. 

  • Syrym Esen, L.N. Gumilev Eurasian National University

    Syrym Esen is a PhD student of M. Eleuov at the Al-Farabi KazNu university of Kazakhstan and at the Gumilev Eurasian National University, who is conducting the technical (excavation, conservation) and 
    managerial aspects of the Kyshkala project. 

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Published

2024-10-10

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2024)

Section

Articles

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© Equinox Publishing Ltd.

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How to Cite

Eleuov, M., Sala, R., Deom, J.-M., Taleev, D., Moldakhmet, A., & Esen, S. (2024). Geoarchaeological Study of Kyshkala During the 11th–15th centuries AD. Journal of Islamic Archaeology, 11(1), 35-58. https://doi.org/10.1558/jia.25531