Toprak-Kala

Toprak-Kala, in modern Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, was an ancient palace city and the capital of in Chorasmia in the 2nd/3rd century CE, where wall paintings, coins and archives were discovered.

[1] Toprak-Kala appears to have been built by Artav (Artabanos), ruler of Khwarezm, in the 1st or 2nd century CE.

[4] This abundant sculptural work may also have been accomplished by artisans from nearby Bactria, where a Hellenistic tradition remained active since the time of the Greco-Bactrian kingdom.

It has also been the subject of a modern renovation program, with the objective of showing what a fortress looked like originally.

Toprak-Kala is somewhat related to another archaeological site 30 km to the southeast, Koi Krylgan Kala, another major component of the "Fifty fortresses oasis".

Artav (Artabanos), ruler of Khwarezm and founder of Toprak-Kala. Blundered Greek legend "ΙΥΙΥΕΩΙΕ ΜΕΛΥΙ ΕΙΛΥΙΛΥ". Nike crowning the bust of the ruler. Circa 1st-2nd century CE.
Panorama of the ruins of Toprak-Kala
Chorasmian oasis, location of Toprak-Kala and the Kyzyl-Kala fortress in relation to other main fortresses.