Settlements and wells along the caravan-nomadic routes of the Aral-Caspian region: from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century

Abstract

The pastoral route from Konyrat to Karakobda covers the Aral-Caspian region, which includes the southern and northwestern parts of the Aral Sea, the southern and northern Ustyurt Plateau, and Karakobda River area south of Aktobe. The Aral-Caspian lowlands include part of the vast Kazakh territories historically known as the “Turan Plain”. From a geopolitical perspective, the historical trade routes that connected the main historical and cultural regions of Central Asia, the Altai-Sayan region, the Caucasus, and Eastern Europe facilitated interaction between Europe and Asia. The history of routes through the deserts and arid ecosystems of the Aral-Caspian region has not been well studied. The routes in the Aral-Caspian region that connected Central Asia with the West were used during historical periods until the 1920s-1930s. Until the early 20th century, some medieval the first stop for caravans travelling from Khiva and Urgench. Depending on their direction and function, communication routes were classified as caravan or nomadic paths. In the study of toponyms related to seasonal pastures, such as Aksai, Ashyairyq, Tushyairyg, Kainar and Tasastau, along the Konyrat-Karakobda route through the Ustyurt, the location and preservation status of wells were documented. A section of the Konyrat-Karakobda route was part of the medieval caravan network through Mangystau and northwestern Ustyurt, intersecting with the branch linking Central Asia to Kyzyl-Kala and Ketik-Kala. Some medieval caravan routes were also used for herding livestock. The junctions where these routes branched out formed networks that were used not only for trade, but also for seasonal pastures. The southern section, from Konyrat to Karakobda, was known as the Kaskajol route. The etymology of wells names are important for documenting the history and culture of Kazakhstan. The Kazakh people have preserved traditional well-digging knowledge that is still practised today. Terms reflecting regional dialects, construction methods, personal names, landscape features and historical events play a key role in Kazakh ethnolinguistics. As well as serving as water sources, wells also acted as checkpoints along trade routes, while long-distance pastoral routes developed from the Kazakhs’ enduring coexistence with nature.