Toprak-Kala (dusty fortress) is ancient settlement with the square of 120 hectares, located in the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan. It is known, that Toprak-Kala was an ancient capital of Khoresm during the reign of Afrigid.
The archeological complex Toprak-Kala consisted of several palaces and the city (residential buildings). During the excavations there were found ruins with 150 rooms, decorated with monumental painting and sculpture. The Throne Room was the centre of Toprak-Kala, where the solemn ceremonies were held. The city was a vast rectangle of 500 × 350 m, surrounded by walls with square towers. The length of the wall’s perimeter more than a kilometer, height is 8-9 metres. The fortress is badly damaged, but according to well-preserved south-west corner, we can say that the size of the ancient building was grandiose. During the excavations of one of the surviving buildings, there were found many interesting artifacts: glass vessels, fragments of sculptures, jewelries, argali sheep’s horns, decorated with gilded rings. There was also found wall paintings with figures of warriors and emperors.
The settlement Toprak-Kala is one of the oldest buildings in central Asia included in the list of UNESCO as a world cultural monument.
