The ancient settlement of Toprak-Kala stands as a remarkable testament to the cultural richness of Khorezm from the 1st to the 6th centuries A.D. This historic site served as the capital of Khorezm in the 3rd century A.D. and was discovered by the Khorezm expedition under the guidance of S.P. Tolstov in 1938. The city was planned in the shape of a perfect rectangle, with the governor’s palace—a massive castle with three towers—located in the northwest corner. The fire temple was situated southeast of the castle, and a long street leading south from the temple divided the city into two parts, with lanes separating large house blocks, typical of the late slave-owning Khorezm capital.
Constructed in the 3rd century, the fortress served as the residence of the khorezmshakhs, the governors of the country, until 305 A.D. Ongoing aggressive wars eventually forced the governors to abandon the residence, leading to the gradual decline of the city. Archaeological excavations at Toprak-Kala have uncovered a treasure trove of artifacts, including coins, fragments of ossuaries (Zoroastrian canopic jars), and exquisite examples of art and culture such as finely crafted ceramics, wool and silk fabrics, gold ornaments, and a necklace made of 300 glass beads, as well as paste, amber, corals, and bowls.
