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Burana-Minaret

Property names are listed in the language in which they have been submitted by the State Party.

Kyrgyzstan (Asia and the Pacific)
Date of Submission: 29/01/2001
Category: Mixed
Submitted by: Kyrgyz National Commission for UNESCO
Coordinates: 42°50' N ; 75°20' E Chu region (oblast), Town of Tokmok
Ref.: 1516

Description

In the mid-tenth century the territory of Kyrgyzstan formed part of the Karakhanid State. In the late tenth and early eleventh centuries the Karakhanid Empire spread from Eastern Turkestan to the Amu?Darya River. The political strength of this state made possible the rapid development of trade, crafts and building work and the appearance of new cities and settlements. Among the newly emergent cities is the city?site of Burana named after the Burana Minaret. The grandiose ruins of this city?site are 12 km south of the modern city of Tokmok. They occupy an area of approximately 30 sq.kms. At various places on the city?site there loom up fortifications and ruins of buildings of various other functions. Most scholars identify the city?site of Burana with the historic city of Balasagun, whose development peaked in the 11?12 centuries, when it was the capital of Central Asia, first under Karakhanids and then under the Kara?Kidans. The Burana Minaret is in the eastern part of the central ruins. The original height of the minaret was 40 metres, but it is now 24 metres high, the remainder having fallen in an earthquake in the 15 century A.D. It is the earliest tower construction in the territory of Central Asia and the only surviving monument of this type from the late 10 and early 11 centuries. The authentic nature of the monument is testified by its architectural composition, the construction and decorative techniques used, and the archaeological materials obtained during excavations both near the minaret itself and in other parts of the Burana city?site.