Sultan Uvays Dag Gyaur-kala

Toprak-kala

Toprak-kala (I–VI centuries A.D.) is located several kilometres south of the Sultan Uvays Dag mountain range. Scientists suggest that it was used as the residence of an Ancient Khorezm monarch during the antiquity period before the Afrigids dynasty came to power. The current location and shape of the monument give it its present name. The word toprak can be translated as a “big earth hill.”

The Toprak-kala Complex consists of the Settlement, the High Palace and the Northern Complex.

The Settlement has an area of 175,000 square metres (500 × 350 metres). Rectangular in shape, it is surrounded by fortified walls 8 to 9 metres high with a number of quadrangular towers. The settlement entrance is a complex structure situated before fortress gates. A central street (9 metres wide) that went through the whole city connected the entrance with the citadel. A hearth niche found in the fire worshippers» temple was full of pure cinder and ash. During excavations, various adornments, including bracelets with curls shaped like ram horns, glass vessels, fragments of gypsum statues and gold leaf pieces were found in another building.