Djanbas-kala

The Djanbas-kala frontier dates back to the IV century B.C. – I century A.D. Today it is known as spectacular and magnificent ruins located on a hillside overlooking the old branch of the Amudarya River. A great number of Bronze Age monuments were found in the vicinity of Djanbas-kala. The monument is located on the northwestern slope of the flat petrean Djanbas-kala Elavation, which closes the range of hills that strikes southeasterly from the Sultan Uvays Dag mountain range.

It is distinguished from the majority of Khorezm fortresses by the absence of towers. The outer wall is covered with narrow and high arrow-shaped loopholes, arranged in a zigzag order.

The flank defence due to the absence of towers was carried out by a system of triple loopholes, located after every 20th to 25th usual loophole in the vaulted niches on the inner side of the outer wall. The Fortress angles were protected with slanting loopholes. A broad 30-metres-wide street led from the fortress gates to the southeast wall. Residential areas were located on both sides of the street.

A clay kiln in the form of a beehive and carved in the wall was found in one of the room’s corners. The kiln was known as a fire sanctuary, while the whole building served as a “Fire House” in the city.