History of Aral sea

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History of Aral sea

 
Aral sea timelapse chronicle
Aral sea timelapse chronicle

The history of the Aral Sea is both fascinating and tragic, revealing a complex interplay of natural and human influences. Surprisingly, the Aral Sea is relatively young in geological terms, estimated to be only 17,600 years old. This formation coincided with the end of the last Ice Age when glaciers from the Tian Shan and Pamir mountains began melting, directing streams of water into the Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers. Over 2,000 years, these rivers filled the basin that would become the Aral Sea. Despite this lengthy process, the lake did not reach its full size immediately. The Amu Darya periodically changed its course, sometimes feeding the Aral and at other times diverting water to the Caspian Sea.

Throughout its history, the Aral Sea’s water level has fluctuated significantly. In the 15th century, it existed as a cluster of large lakes. By the end of the 16th century, it had reached its maximum extent. However, the 17th century saw a drop in the water level, leading to the emergence of islands such as Barsa-Kelmes, Vozrozhdeniya, Kokaral, and others.

Early Human Settlement and Cultural Development

The human history of the Aral Sea dates back to the 4th to 3rd millennia BCE. During these ancient times, Neolithic tribes settled along the shores of the Aral Sea and in the delta of the Amu Darya. These early settlers engaged in fishing and hunting, living in large communal houses capable of housing up to 100 people. These dwellings are known to anthropologists as part of the Kelteminar culture.

As time passed, these communities advanced to developing agriculture and irrigation techniques. By the 7th century BCE, the state of Khorezm emerged on the banks of the Amu Darya, south of the Aral Sea. The northern regions of the Aral Sea, however, remained devoid of permanent settlements and were primarily inhabited by nomadic tribes. These tribes occasionally raided Khorezm, prompting the construction of fortresses for defense.

By the 1st century AD, the Aral Sea was known in the Roman Empire as the Oxian Lake, named after the river Oxus (Amu Darya). By the 10th century, following the Arab conquest of Central Asia, it was referred to as the Khorezm Sea. Other historical names include the Gurganj Sea and Syr.

Medieval Discoveries and Structures

In 2001, archaeologists discovered the Kerderi mausoleum near the former island of Barsa-Kelmes in the northern part of the Aral Sea. This discovery was followed by another mausoleum and a town named Aral-Asar. The Kerderi mausoleum, dating back to the 12th century, contains burials associated with Islamic culture, as well as elements of shamanism and Tengrism. The most recent burials date back to the 14th century. For centuries, these archaeological finds were submerged underwater at a depth of 20 meters. Today, they are situated in Kazakhstan.

In the 12th and 13th centuries, the Kurgancha-Kala fortress was constructed on the western coast of the Aral Sea, on the ledges of the Ustyurt Plateau. This fortress is believed to have been the northernmost outpost of Khorezm and served as a caravanserai for traders on the Great Silk Road. Modern tours of the Aral Sea now include visits to this historic site.

The name «Aral Sea» emerged in the late 17th century. In Turkic, it was called Aral-Tengiz, meaning «sea of islands» or «island sea» (aral – «island,» tengiz – «sea»). This nomenclature likely referred to the numerous islands present in the Amu Darya delta at the time.

Steamship Obruchev before departure to the Aral Sea
Steamship Obruchev before departure to the Aral Sea

In 1717, the Russian army, led by Prince Alexander Bekovich-Cherkassky, traversed the Ustyurt Plateau and the Aral Sea en route to Khiva. By 1847, the Raim fort was established in the northeastern part of the Aral Sea, whose ruins are still present in Kazakhstan. The first scientific expedition to the Aral Sea was conducted in 1849. The schooner «Konstantin» was transported in parts to the northern shore of the Aral Sea. Led by A. Butakov, the expedition included the artist T. Shevchenko, a renowned Ukrainian writer and poet. They mapped the shoreline, measured depths, and conducted meteorological and astronomical observations. A map of the Aral Sea was subsequently published in Russia in 1850.

By 1852, steamships «Perovsky» and «Obruchev» were transported in parts via camels to Fort Raim. These steamships were assembled and launched by 1853, tasked with patrolling the Aral Sea coastline and the upstream regions of the Syr Darya. Additional steamships were brought in, and local trading and fishing vessels were constructed. Scientific expeditions continued, and trade routes were established. In 1905, Russian merchants established the «Khiva» joint-stock company in the city of Aralsk, Kazakhstan, initiating industrial-scale fishing operations.

History of Aral sea fleet
History of Aral sea fleet

During the Soviet era, all fishing collectives were nationalized, leading to an annual increase in fish catch volumes. Fishermen harvested species such as Aral salmon, bream, roach, carp, ruff, pike-perch, and others. At its peak, the Aral Sea yielded up to 50,000 tons of fish annually. In the 1950s, the settlement of Muynak became the center of fishing in the southern part of the Aral Sea, achieving city status in 1963.

The exact onset of the ecological disaster at the Aral Sea is unclear, but a significant drop in water level was first recorded in 1961. This decline was primarily due to the increasing water demands of agriculture and the construction of the Karakum Canal on the Amu Darya. By 1962, the canal diverted 45% of all water from the Amu Darya.

History of Aral sea fleet
History of Aral sea fleet

In 1960, the water level of the Aral Sea was at 53.4 meters, covering an area of 68,900 square kilometers. By 1980, the water level had dropped to 46.4 meters, reducing the sea’s area to 51,700 square kilometers. In 1990, the water level further declined to 38.2 meters, with the area shrinking to 36,800 square kilometers. By 2024, although exact data isn’t available, the water level is roughly estimated at 28 meters, with the sea covering just 7,000 square kilometers. Overall, the water level has fallen by 26 meters, and the sea’s area has diminished tenfold!

By the late 1980s, fisheries in Muynak and Aralsk had ceased operations, leaving ships permanently docked. Today, the remnants of these vessels can be seen at the ship graveyard in Muynak.

Between 2003 and 2005, Kazakhstan constructed the Kokaral Dam, a 13-kilometer structure aimed at preserving the northern part of the Aral Sea, now known as the Small Aral. This project successfully restored the water level to 42 meters. Over time, the reduced salinity of the water allowed fish to return, gradually reviving the ecosystem.

In 2008, gas deposits were discovered on the dried-up seabed of the Aral Sea in Uzbekistan, where active gas extraction is currently ongoing. This area has transformed into the Aralkum Desert, developing its own ecosystem. Efforts are being made to enhance this new ecosystem by planting saxaul and other desert-adapted plant species.

While there is hope that the Aral Sea might one day be replenished, it is unlikely to occur within this century. The history of the Aral Sea serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between human activity and environmental sustainability. It underscores the importance of responsible stewardship of natural resources to prevent similar ecological catastrophes in the future.