Janbas Kala, Southern Karakalpakstan

Janbas Kala was an important eastern outpost of ancient Khorezm. The fortress, measuring about 200 by 170 metres, lies roughly 47 km northeast of Turtkul. Founded in the 4th century BC, it uses an archaic fortification system without defensive towers.

The corrugated exterior walls, surviving in places to nearly 20 metres, contain more than a thousand arrow loopholes. During an attack, archers could defend the fortress from three levels: an open upper platform behind high battlements and two enclosed galleries between the outer and inner walls. A labyrinth protected the northwestern gate. From there, the main street crossed the garrison and residential quarters toward a fire temple in the southeast.

In the 1st century BC attackers breached the wall west of the gate and captured the fortress. Janbas Kala was never rebuilt. Sand dunes covered it for almost two millennia until the Khorezm Archaeological Expedition excavated the monument in the 20th century.