Semi-fortified Palatial Complexes in Central Asia: New Work at the Great Kyz Kala, Merv, Turkmenistan
View / Open Files
Authors
Williams, Tim
Jorayev, Gaygysyz
Wordsworth, Paul
Jepbarov, Rejep
Moriset, Sebastien
Publication Date
2018Journal Title
ARCHAEOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
ISSN
1463-1725
Publisher
UCL Press
Volume
21
Issue
1
Pages
153-117
Type
Article
This Version
VoR
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Williams, T., Campbell, K., Jorayev, G., Wordsworth, P., Jepbarov, R., & Moriset, S. (2018). Semi-fortified Palatial Complexes in Central Asia: New Work at the Great Kyz Kala, Merv, Turkmenistan. ARCHAEOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, 21 (1), 153-117. https://doi.org/10.5334/ai-395
Abstract
<jats:p>Within Central Asia there is an unusual group of earthen buildings (köshks), usually constructed on raised platforms, with vertical engaged columns forming iconic ‘corrugations’ on the exterior walls. The complexes are semi-fortified, with a second storey entrance, and often with asymmetrical ranges of rooms around an internal courtyard. Little systematic archaeological work has taken place on these monuments, which have mainly been studied as relatively eroded standing structures. However, recent work at the Great Kyz Kala at Merv, Turkmenistan, the largest surviving monumental köshk in Central Asia, has provided more details of construction and use. The excavations suggest that this complex was constructed in the 8<jats:sup>th</jats:sup>/9<jats:sup>th</jats:sup> century CE, with well-appointed rooms on the second storey, including a large hall, and functional rooms and storage spaces around a courtyard on the lower floor. The complex was set within an enclosure, containing gardens and possibly ancillary buildings. This particular köshk may have acted as an elite palatial suburban residence, perhaps for the governor of Merv.</jats:p>
Sponsorship
Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation
Identifiers
External DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/ai-395
This record's URL: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/333941
Statistics
Total file downloads (since January 2020). For more information on metrics see the
IRUS guide.
Recommended or similar items
The current recommendation prototype on the Apollo Repository will be turned off on 03 February 2023. Although the pilot has been fruitful for both parties, the service provider IKVA is focusing on horizon scanning products and so the recommender service can no longer be supported. We recognise the importance of recommender services in supporting research discovery and are evaluating offerings from other service providers. If you would like to offer feedback on this decision please contact us on: support@repository.cam.ac.uk