Remarkable Ancient Stronghold

In the territory of the Ellikqala District of Karakalpakstan lies one of the most remarkable ancient monuments of Central Asia – the settlement with the fortress of Janbas Kala. This majestic structure rises on a hill that completes a chain of hills stretching southeast from the Sultan-Uizdag mountain range. The foundation of Janbas Kala dates back to the 4th century BC and was in use until the 1st century AD.

Unique Defensive System

The area of the Janbas Kala fortress measures 200 by 170 meters, and it has a rectangular shape aligned with the cardinal directions. The absence of towers, which were typical for that time period, makes the fortress a highly unusual find. In place of towers, special niches built along the entire length of the walls allowed archers to attack the enemy from any point within the fort. This innovative design demonstrates sophisticated military engineering.

Strategic Gateway Design

Another distinctive feature of Janbas Kala was the construction of a gateway which would funnel the enemy into a narrow corridor, allowing the archers to significantly increase their aim and accuracy. Janbas-Kala settlement was further surrounded by double walls up to 10 meters high and 1-1.5 meters wide. Thus, if the enemy were successful in breaching the first defensive wall, they would be met by a hail of arrows at the second inner barrier. All these details clearly illustrate the strategic military function of the fortress.

Urban Sophistication

The inner quarters of Janbas-Kala were no less sophisticated, and according to historians around 2,000 people could have resided here. A central street divided the city into two halves, with many homes, fragments of ceramics, beads and household utensils found along this track. On a hill at the southern gate there was likely a temple for fire worship, as indicated by a large accumulation of ash found in one corner of the building.