Mizdahkan (Persian: مزدهقان)[1] is an archeological complex and the place of the ancient Iranian Khwarazmians, not far from the town of Xoʻjayli in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan.[2] This archaeological complex of structures is located 40 minutes from the city of Nukus.[3]

History

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Mizdahkan complex occupies a square of 200 hectares. Its two fortresses were built in the 9th-12th centuries.[4] The ossuary burial ground occupies the entire western half of the hill.[5] The last burial in the necropolis dates back to the 14th century.

The Mongols under Genghis Khan massacred the Iranian inhabitants of the area and after a certain time, the complex was demolished in 1338 during the Tamerlane expedition to Konye-Urgench.[6]

In the legends, Keyumars (or Gayōmart), who was neither male nor female but was the first human on Earth (according to the Zoroastrian mythology), is related to this site.[7] In Mizdahkan, there is an underground mausoleum of Princess Mazlum Khan Sulu.[8]

Sources

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References

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  1. ^ Munis, K., Ogahi, M. R. M. E., & Bregel, Y. (1999). Firdaws al-iqbāl: History of Khorezm. Boston, Mass: Brill. p.384.
  2. ^ "Ancient Complex Mizdahkan — Damda.uz". damda.uz. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  3. ^ Ancient necropolis of Mizdahkan | Uzbekistan Travel. (2022). Uzbekistan.travel. Retrieved 25 May 2022, from https://uzbekistan.travel/en/o/ancient-necropolis-of-mizdakhan/
  4. ^ "Древний комплекс Миздахкан — Damda.uz" (in Russian). damda.uz. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  5. ^ Necropolis of Mizdahkan.. (2021). silkadv.com. Retrieved 25 May 2022, from https://silkadv.com/en/content/necropolis-mizdahkan
  6. ^ "Mizdakhkan. Uzbekistan. Tours in Uzbekistan".
  7. ^ Ancient necropolis of Mizdahkan | Uzbekistan Travel. (2022). Uzbekistan.travel. Retrieved 25 May 2022, from https://uzbekistan.travel/en/o/ancient-necropolis-of-mizdakhan/
  8. ^ Karakalpakstan - Mizdahkan. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
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