The Site of Ancient Town of Shahristan (Kahkakha)

The Site of Ancient Town of Shahristan (Kahkakha) is part of the Tentative list of Tajikistan in order to qualify for inclusion in the World Heritage List.

The Site of Ancient Town of Shahristan (Kahkakha) (Shakhristan on google) (also included in the serial nominations “Silk Road Sites in Tajikistan” under the name of “Ancient town Bunjikat) is the remnants of ancient city, capital of the rebelous Oshrusāna (Ustrushana) principality in the 6th – 9th centuries AD. In the north is the city itself (called Kalai Kahkakha I) with the ruler’s palace (called Bungikata palace), in the south a citadel (called Kalai Kahkakha II) with powerful wall and towers and in the west the rabad (the suburb, calls Kalai Kahkajka III). The city is believed to have 10’000 inhabitants and had water supplies and sewage. In the ruins are found pre-Islamic ceremonial center. Found also remnants arsenal of 5000 stone balls for slings, amazing murals and numerous other interesting artifacts (carved wood and metal artifacts).