Sherkala, a nature monument
The object of natural and historical-cultural importance is located 18 km to the north of the district center of Shetpe village (Mangystau district, Mangystau region).
Sherkala mountain is a natural symbol of Mangystau region. From a certain point of view it looks like a giant yurt placed in the folds of the area of Akmysh. The mountain is a large natural remnant of unusual shapes that emerged during the formation of mountainous valleys near Karatau as a result of the rise of land and liberation from the waters of the ancient Caspian Sea. The mountain is composed of dense limestone resting on yellowish sandstones with cretaceous interlayers. The height of the mountain is 308 m. The eastern part of the remains is cut by numerous washings and caverns, which gives the mountain a jellyfish look from a bird's eye view. From the west, the mountain is adjoined by ridged outcrops of spherical nodules.
One of the legends about Sherkala says that once it was defended by valiant knights from the hordes of enemies. They fought like tigers. The last defenders of their land hid in the underground passages inside the mountain and stayed there forever. So the name of this symbol of heroism and independence appeared - Sherkala, or the City of Tigers. According to another legend, the warriors who had taken refuge on the mountain withstood the siege for a long time by means of a deep well with water. The besieging enemies managed to break through the tunnel in the mountain and fill the well...
On the northern side of the mountain there are the remains of a small fortified settlement of the XII - early XIII centuries. Here, deep niches are carved in the walls of the channel washings, in one of which there is an engraved picture with the image of a camel caravan. Preliminary archaeological research allowed to establish that Mount Sherkala in ancient times was an important trade and trans-shipment point directly connected with the medieval hillfort of Kyzylkala, located in the neighborhood. A treasure trove of gold coins and a coin fraction was found on the ancient marketplace. The main part of the dinars belonged to the Khorezmshakhs of the Anushtegin dynasty - Ala al-Din Tekesh (1193-1200) and his son Muhammad ibn Tekesh (1200-1220). Seven coins are imitations of the official monetary unit of Khorezm rulers. Uniformity of a mimicking coin stamp allows to express a hypothesis about local minting of gold coins. Based on the discovery of copper coins of the I-III centuries, minted in the territory of ancient Khorezm, there are prerequisites for the statement that Mount Sherkala was the place of trade transactions in earlier, late antique times.
The remains of a large dam, which covered the current of the spring river Akmysh in early times and contributed to the formation of a large artificial reservoir, have been preserved in the vicinity of the mountain.