The Ancient Settlement Of Kampyr-Tepe

Archaeological monuments of Uzbekistan

The settlement of Kampyr-Tepe, located 30 kilometres west of the city of Termez, is one of the oldest remarkable sights in Uzbekistan and the site of numerous archaeological excavations.

The ruins of the settlement of Kampyr-Tepe, with an area of about 4 hectares, are divided into 2 parts: the citadel, ringed by a moat, and the so-called "lower city", surrounded by a fortress wall 5 meter thick. The walls have rectangular watchtowers.

Scientists associate the fortress of Kampyr-Tepe with the legendary Alexandria on the Oxus, which had been built by Alexander the Great on the banks of the Amu Darya during the conquest of Bactria. The settlement was erected at the crossing point of the Amu Darya and had a great strategic importance. Then the city was the part of the Greco-Bactrian кingdom and the Kushan Empire. It was found that Kampyr-Tepe served as a hotel, customs and the port through which various goods were transported.

The citadel was a large building, consisting of 100 premises of various sizes, divided by corridors into 4 blocks. In the "lower city" there were residential areas, where during archaeological excavations Seleucid, Greco-Bactrian and Kushan coins and terracotta items were found. In addition, unique Bactrian papyrus manuscripts were discovered, which are considered the oldest manuscripts of Central Asia dated to the first half of the 2nd century A.D.

The excellently preserved streets and the fortress wall of the settlement of Kampyr-Tepe provide an opportunity to get acquainted with the way of life of the ancient civilizations that used to live on the territory of modern Uzbekistan. The fortress of Kampyr-Tepe is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Photos:

view all photos »»

© Material is belonged to «Central Asia Travel».
Copying and using all presented information and material is possible ONLY by authority of the originator.