FORMATION OF CITIES IN ANCIENT KHOREZM BASED ON TERRITORIAL-GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND SPECIALIZATION

Аннотация

This article explores the influence of Uzbekistan’s geological and natural-economic conditions on early human settlements and the formation of economic-cultural types. Based on archaeological data, the study focuses on regions with natural resources, springs, mountains, and caves that supported human habitation during the Paleolithic period. Key archaeological sites such as Kolbulok, Selengur, Teshiktosh, and Jarkutan are examined to trace the lifestyle, migration,and environmental adaptation ofancient communities. Keywords. Geology of Uzbekistan, natural geography, primitive society, archaeological sites, Kolbulok,Selengur, migration, anthropogenic landscape, economic-cultural types. Introduction. The geological and natural-geographical conditions, natural-economic resources, andecological potential ofthe territory of Uzbekistan have served as afavorable environment for human activity since ancient times. Publications from the 20th century, as well as scholarly literature published during the years of national independence, serve as important sources in illuminating the ethnic processes that took place within the anthropogenic landscapes of this region. As a result of geological development—particularly the paleotectonic movements of the Quaternary period of the Cenozoic era—a complex relief formed, marked by a combination of mountainous and flat areas. These landscapes had a direct influence on the ancient settlement patterns, economic activity, andcultural development ofhumankind. This research examines early ethnic processes of the Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods, settlement sites, tools, socio-economic models, and migration routes, based on archaeological monuments found in regions such as the Ustyurt Plateau, Tashkent, Fergana, Zarafshan Valley, Surkhandarya, andothers. Literature Review. In addressing this topic, the research of scholars such as A.S. Kes, M.R. Kosimov, and M.J. Jorakulov provides an essential theoretical foundation. They assessed ancient sites such as Kolbulok, Selengur, Teshiktosh, Jarkoton, Omonkoton, and Takalisoy—studied archaeologically—as the settlement zonesof early ethnicgroups in Uzbekistan. Since the mid-20th century, archaeological excavations have scientifically substantiated the idea that the climate, flora, fauna, and natural resources of the territory directly influenced human settlement choices and socio-economic life. Notably, Kolbulok in the Tashkent region, Selengur inFergana,and theTeshiktosh cave sitein Surkhandarya are concrete evidences ofthis process. Methodological Foundations. The methodological foundations of this research rely on the synthesis of archaeological, historical, and geological approaches. Based on historical- geographical conditions, archaeological layers, findings, and cultural markers, the study provides a scientific analysis of the habitats, movement, and cultural evolution of ancient human populations. Through comparative and cross-cultural analysis, the similarities and differences between archaeological sites were identified, and a multidisciplinary approach was used to draw 163 Volume 4, issue 5, 2025 comprehensive scientific conclusions. As a result, the specific characteristics of ancient settlement processes and the formation of economic-cultural types within the territory of Uzbekistanwere thoroughly examined. Analysis. Information recorded in 20th-century publications and scholarly literature from the period of national independence serves as a theoretical basis for analyzing this section. Due to geological development, the surface structure of Uzbekistan emerged distinctly in various regions—Tashkent, Fergana, Zarafshan, Ustyurt, Surkhandarya, and Khorezm—whose geographical locations and territorial boundaries do not intersect with one another. Their geographic coordinates do not align in a single direction, and their differences in natural environment, climate conditions, flora, and fauna are clearly reflected in the diverse panorama represented onthephysical map ofour homeland. The geology of the Earth, particularly during the Quaternary period of the Cenozoic era, shaped Uzbekistan’s landscape as a combination of mountainous and flat terrains. The territory of our homeland, comprising Ustyurt, Tashkent, Fergana, Zarafshan, Jizzakh, Surkhandarya, Khorezm, and the Republic of Karakalpakstan, presents a colorful geographical picture. Each of these regions differs in terms of geographic setting, natural-economic resources, climatic conditions, andsettlement characteristics ofthepopulation. The geographic and economic potential of these historical-geographical regions is directly connected to towering mountain systems and the natural endowments that sustain them. According to researchers, around 4–3 million years ago, the territory of Central Asia—including the Sarykamysh basin, the southern Aral Sea region, and the area between the Kyzylkum desert andtheAral Sea—was predominantly aflat plain [3, pp.290–291]. Approximately 71% of