Archaeologists are carrying out the largest-ever study of the Dzhetyasar culture, a medieval civilization that thrived in the lower reaches of the Syr Darya River. The expedition, which is a joint project between the A.Kh. Margulan Institute of Archaeology and the German Archaeological Institute, is also being supported by specialists from Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University and the Karmakshy District Museum of History and Local Studies. Their research constitutes the first effort at large-scale, integrated exploration of these sites.
The Dzhetyasar culture emerged between the mid–1st millennium BCE and the early 9th century CE in the deltas of the Syr Darya and Kuandarya rivers. Archaeologists have discovered nearly fifty fortified settlements, hundreds of burial mounds, and irrigation networks at these locations. They are concentrated in the Dzhetyasar valley, from which the culture gets its name. Though the monuments were initially documented in 1946 and investigated intermittently in the mid-20th century, a comprehensive investigation of their cultural and historical significance in the context of Central Asia is only now underway.
At the focal point of the present investigation is Kara-Asar, one of the largest and most impressive Dzhetyasar sites. Situated on the eastern edge of the valley, the site stands 10–12 meters above the plain and is 140 by 150 meters in size. It has two distinct tiers: a raised central platform measuring approximately 40 by 40 meters, and an outer tier comprising dense residential quarters. The northern gate was originally the main entrance, while the lower fortification enclosed several hectares. The first tier rises to six to eight meters in height, and the upper platform reaches twelve meters.
The archaeological excavations at Kara-Asar between 2024 and 2025 revealed nearly forty rooms dating to the 5th and 6th centuries CE. The first construction phase consisted of residential blocks designed around a central courtyard, suggesting a planned structure. The second phase showed well-preserved houses that contained hearths, benches, and adjoining streets. Surprisingly, doorways during the two phases followed similar construction traditions, with thresholds made of mudbrick or wood. The archaeologists further discovered an unusual practice in which cattle pelvic bones were placed beneath the door frames to hold the pivots of the central posts so that doors would swing smoothly.
The surface of Kara-Asar is covered with fragments of red-polished ceramics, evidence of prolonged settlement. Finds cover all three chronological stages of the Dzhetyasar cultural complex, bearing witness to the importance of this settlement over many centuries. Researchers believe that the evidence from Kara-Asar sheds light not only on the architecture of such fortified towns but also on the economic practices, domestic life, and social organization of the people who inhabited them.
By reconstructing the construction systems and everyday traditions of the Dzhetyasar people, archaeologists hope to shed light on the cultural and historical role of these settlements in the wider development of Central Asia.
More information: Margulan Institute of Archaeology