Karatobe

The Karatobe settlement lies approximately 45 kilometers northwest of the city of Turkestan and just 3 kilometers southwest of the medieval town of Sauran, dating back to the XIV-XVIII centuries. The site is marked by a large, three-tiered hill shaped like a pentagonal heraldic shield, exuding a unique presence amidst the landscape.

Historical records and archaeological findings reveal that the city of Sauran existed across two separate locations. During the pre-Mongolian period (6th–12th centuries), the city was established where the Karatobe settlement now stands. In the subsequent period from the 13th to 18th centuries, Sauran was relocated to a new site, giving rise to the eponymous monument that endures today.

Karatobe was originally conceived as a fortress and military stronghold, meticulously designed for defensive purposes. It rests atop a hill that rises 220 meters above sea level, strategically elevated to ensure a panoramic view of the surrounding terrain, ideal for monitoring and defense. At the heart of Karatobe, on its northwest side, lies a citadel. The citadel’s dimensions reveal a northern wall of 70 meters, a northwest side stretching 110 meters, a southwest boundary of 160 meters, a northeast side also extending 160 meters, and a southeast side measuring 60 meters. The foundation of the citadel forms a rectangular structure reaching 11 meters in height. Remarkably, a tower still stands on the northern wall, towering 15 meters, with a base diameter of 20 meters.

The most compelling evidence linking Karatobe with Sauran comes from the discovery of multiple concentric wall remnants encircling the settlement’s outer area. The outermost ring lies 1 to 1.5 kilometers from the central ruins, with at least two more rings of fortifications inside. Written sources corroborate this architectural complexity, particularly noting the legendary seven rings of walls that fortified the city.

The initial archaeological investigations at both Karatobe and Sauran took place in 1986, unveiling the remarkable scope of these ancient sites. Further studies were conducted in 2003, deepening our understanding of these historic fortresses and their enduring significance.