Tuimekent settlement

It was first investigated in 1894 by the Russian orientalist and Turkologist V.V. Bartold. Since 1986, it has been examined by an archaeological expedition led by K. M. Baypakov.

New excavations at the site of the ancient settlement began only in 2010 as part of the Cultural Heritage program under the leadership of M. Eleuov.

According to experts, up to several hundred people who were engaged in agriculture, cattle breeding and handicraft production, lived in the Tuimekent settlement. In terms of the settlement, it represents a small area of 250x300 m. rectangular in shape, oriented with angles to the cardinal directions. The width of the fortress walls surrounding the city is 20-25 m., height 4-5 m . On all sides it was fenced with a rampart, along the perimeter there were 30 watchtowers with a diameter of 12 to 16 m. The citadel with an area of 50x35 m, 6 m high, is located in the central part of the fortress. The plaster walls of the settlement, which were made of pressed clay and alternated with ordinary raw bricks, are unique.

The ancient city had extensive engineering networks, two water pipes lying at a depth of two meters, which demonstrates its self-sufficiency, ensuring the life and safety of citizens. Tuimekent was located at the junction of the caravan roads of the Great Silk Road, which ensured its stable prosperity and development. The settlement is one of the most important sites of the cultural heritage of Kazakhstan. Tuimekent's research is still ongoing. According to one of the popular versions, the Tuimekent settlement was founded by Kokshe Khan, he founded the city and named it in honor of his daughter Princess Tuime. After the death of her father, it was she who successfully ruled the city, and did a lot for its development and prosperity.