Kultobe Settlement in Turkestan
Turkestan serves as the ancient capital of Kazakhstan and is home to various historic cities in the Turkestan region. One of these notable sites is the Kultobe ancient fortified settlement, which holds archaeological significance and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Situated on a massive hill standing at a height of 9 meters, the settlement spans an area of 150×120 meters. Over time, the topography of the monument has undergone significant changes. The Kultobe hill played a role in the military construction system of medieval Turkestan.
To reach the Kultobe settlement, head to the city of Turkestan in the Turkestan region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It is located around 400 meters from the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, on the left bank of the Arys River. The precise GPS coordinates are 43°17’35″N 68°16’15″E.
Initial archaeological findings at Kultobe were shared by the Turkestan detachment led by T. N. Senigova. Excavations began in the western part of the complex in 1972. However, after unearthing upper layers displaying typical residential complexes from the 18th and 19th centuries, work in those areas ceased. Nevertheless, information on early medieval ceramics from the 7th and 8th centuries that were incidentally found in Kultobe, as well as collected coins from the lower
