Аннотация
The article deals with the historical and topographical structure of ancient and medieval settlements, fortresses and towns discovered during archaeological research conducted in Karashyk valley in 1969-2023, and the results of excavations (prospecting, stratigraphic, large-scale) carried out in them. Lower, middle (Arys valley, Otyrar, Turkestan, Syganak oases) reaches of the Syr Darya river, southern and northern slopes of Karatau, Talas, Shu districts and Zhetisu are historical and geographical areas where urban culture developed since ancient times. Ancient, medieval cities, settlements and fortresses in these territories were formed along the Great Silk Road and caravan routes. From historical and geographical works it is known that in IX-X centuries there was a region called Shaugar (Shabgar, Shavgar) and its main city was Shaugar, located in the neighborhood of Otyrar oasis. The Turkestan valley (oasis), located in the middle reaches of the Syr Darya, is divided into the oases of Sauran, Sidakata, Karnak, Karashyk, Karashyk, Shaga, Ikan, Shaugar and Tamdyozek. The micro oasis of Karasyk (valley - M.E), located in the middle of this oasis, is surrounded by the micro oases of Karnak to the northwest, Shaga to the southeast, Shaugar to the south, and Tamdeyozek to the southwest. In the course of archaeological research conducted in the Karashyk valley in 1969-2023, a number of settlements, fortresses and towns were discovered, their historical and topographical structure was determined, and a number of monuments were excavated. However, the Karashyk Valley has not yet been fully explored. In particular, it is necessary to conduct large-scale studies in mountain gorges, at the outlet of rivers from mountain gorges and in the foothill plain of the Karashyk River to determine the period of existence of monuments. Therefore, the determination of the areal, number, time of their appearance, stages of development, topographical features of ancient and medieval towns of the Karashyk region depends on complex works to be carried out in the coming years.