The territory of ancient Khorezm is literally strewn with fortresses that remain from the border cities of the Khorezm state, built to protect against the raids of nomadic tribes, serving as evidence of past power and glory. Among them, notable archaeological monuments include Toprak Kala, Ayaz Kala, Koy Kirilkangan Kala, the fortress of Big Guldursun, Anka Kala, Kurgashin Kala, Janbas Kala, and Pil Kala.
Most of these fortifications successfully fulfilled their defensive role until the 13th century, when the lands were invaded by the hordes of Genghis Khan. As a result of these brutal conquests, the population was either killed or enslaved, cities turned into ruins, and the economy fell into decline. The fortresses that once served as bastions of safety were abandoned and forgotten, becoming silent witnesses to a bygone era. Their ruins remind us of the great civilization that thrived here many centuries ago.
The archaeological monument Pil-Kala is located in the northern part of the city of Beruni, in the Shimom aul of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. It is situated one and a half kilometers from the "Beruni - Nukus" road, making Pil Kala accessible to researchers and tourists eager to connect with the heritage of the past.
The history of the city of Pil Kala spans different eras, from the 4th-3rd centuries BCE to the 4th-9th centuries CE, as well as the 11th-13th/14th centuries CE. These time periods testify to the rich cultural heritage and multi-layered culture of the city. The earliest mentions of this monument can be found in the works of the Arab geographer and traveler Al-Tabari, highlighting its significance and historical value.
The area of the settlement of Pil Kala measures 230 by 227 meters. In ancient times, the fortress was encircled by a robust defensive wall that reached a height of 2.2 to 2.4 meters and was built in two rows from mud bricks.
The outer wall features rounded towers that project 9.5 meters with a width of 8.75 meters and span a distance of 12 to 17 meters. The lower part of the wall is constructed from pakhsa—a mixture of compacted clay, sand, water, and straw - with a thickness of 6 meters and a height of 2 meters, adding extra stability. Along the walls, there are semi-oval arrow towers.
The construction of the settlement of Pil Kala closely mirrors the architectural design of the Ayaz Kala I fortress.
The settlement of Pil Kala reveals remarkable chapters of history. Fragments of pottery from the era of the Afrigid dynasty have been found here, indicating a high level of culture and craftsmanship during that period. In the southwest tower, archaeologists uncovered a burial, and nearby, on the eastern side, three diamond-shaped arrowheads dating back to the 13th-14th centuries were discovered.
The archaeological monument of Pil Kala is an object of the material cultural heritage of Uzbekistan. It attracts interest not only from researchers but also from history enthusiasts eager to connect with the past and experience the grandeur of bygone eras.
