The Mausoleums of Medieval Syganak

Abstract

The study of medieval necropolises in the middle and lower reaches of the Syr Darya River has long been a central focus of archaeological research. In the 20th century, the region's mausoleums in the region were investigated by scholars including V.A. Kallaur, A.Yu.Yakubovsky, S.P.Tolstov, S.E.Azhigali, K.M.Baipakov, M.Eleuov, and S.Zh.Zholdasbayev. Recent investigations of the architectural monuments of medieval Syganak have revealed unique spatial layouts, structural designs, and decorative elements of its mausoleums.
Syganak, referred to in historical sources as the ‘city of mausoleums,’ was a major political, spiritual, and commercial center in the middle Syr Darya region. Between the 13th and 15th centuries, it served successively as the capital of the White Horde, a constituent of the Great Ulus (Golden Horde), the Abulkhair Khanate, and the Kazakh Khanate. Unsurprisingly, rulers, spiritual leaders, and prominent figures were buried here, with monumental structures erected over their graves.
This article examines the dating and characteristics of seven mausoleums in medieval Syganak. A comprehensive review of available sources was conducted, including detailed descriptions and systematic data analysis. The mausoleums are portal- domed structures built of fired brick, with the interior walls of Mausoleum No. 4 constructed from adobe. They are decorated with carved terracotta and glazed tiles. Burials in Mausoleums Nos. 1, 3, 5, and 7 were placed in crypts, while Mausoleums Nos. 4 and 6 contained family crypts. Islamic burial rites were observed: the deceased were oriented northwest-southeast in Mausoleums
Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, and north-south in Mausoleum No. 1. The discovery of iron nails in Mausoleums Nos. 3, 5, and 7 suggests the use of wooden coffins.
The study includes a comparative analysis of the architectural features of the mausoleums, supported by radiocarbon dating. The results establish the following chronological framework: Mausoleum No. 5 dates to the late 14th century; No. 6 to the early 15th century; No. 7 to the early 14th century; Nos. 1 and 3 to the 14th century; and No. 4 to the 14th–15th centuries.